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MATERIALS 49
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learning process can aid enterprises in embedding life cycle Its sustainability journey began in 2015 with LCA and
management practices by building on their experiences with commenced the implementation of Product Environmental
life cycle assessment. Footprint (PEF) in 2017, setting in motion an internalisation
This investigation delves into the connection between process of LCM.

learning processes and the adoption of sustainable management The ECOFURNY office desks (laminate or wood) are its
practices within organisations. main products. They are equipped single desks with a very
Starting from this concept, our research introduces the simple and accurate structure. The details are few and light.
ECOFURNY case study, an Italian furniture company that, The metal structure consists of under-top rails and shaped
beginning with an LCA, adopted an LCM approach through OL. aluminium legs and is equipped with a special fastening
The company embarked on a pathway (from 2017 to 2022), system that allows the various elements to be positioned
following an “internalisation” trajectory where LCA spread according to different requirements. Office desk is realised
throughout the entire organisation, reaching top-tier management. in wood or laminate.
This led to the adoption of LCM, which encouraged managers The functional unit for the PEF study is a product unit

and workers to shift towards a new life-cycle-oriented mindset corresponding to a single-seat office desk.
and reshape the company's strategy accordingly. The reference flow is an office table supplied with its
Through a four-phase framework described in the results packaging. The system boundaries considered in the study
section, the ECOFURNY case study offers a unique understanding include all phases of the desk life cycle, from cradle to grave.
of how OL played a functional role in embedding LCA insights Empirical evidence was supported by technical and
across the organisation, driving the adoption of LCM in the quantitative data, including product environmental footprint
furniture industry. based on LCA and performed using the PEF Method.

The applied method is the longitudinal single case study
that allows to detect changes in the organisation during the Customers’ Request For Life-Cycle-Backed
process of life cycle concept internalisation. Certifications
ECOFURNY case study reveals drivers and barriers met in ECOFURNY embarked on the adoption of LCM driven by
the LCM implementation process and the achieved outcomes. LCA insights. The company's focus on sustainability and the
The research reveals the support that the OL provides in this
process to fully sustainability internalisation.
Khaosai Wongnatthakan

ECOFURNY

To maintain anonymity, the selected company was assigned
the fictitious name ECOFURNY.
ECOFURNY is a small business (54 employees, revenue
22 million in 2018) based in Milan, Italy, specialising in the
production of office furniture for international brands.
ECOFURNY is an Italian interior design company founded
in the 1969. Company involves around 180 workers and is

primarily concerned with large orders in office furniture, which it
exports to Europe and many other countries around the world.