Few of today's products will last longer than those of an earlier era. Indeed, some blame producers of planning obsolescence into their products. Despite this, consumers are at the very least compliant; meaning the current throughput of materials and energy in industrialised economies is unsustainable.
'...The book is composed of 17 chapters, most of which could easily be made into books in their own right...managers, especially marketing managers, should read this book...Those not up to speed need to catch up fast...' David Bishop, Journal of Product & Brand Management '...this volume is a very welcome addition to the ongoing design for sustainability debate. It brings a substantial amount of current research to the reader and offer a wide-ranging set of perspectives. It provides a compelling case for extending product use and it effectively covers the associated implications, barriers and opportunities. This volume ought to become a key reference resource for students, academics, politicians, manufacturers and marketing departments and, as such, has the potential to be a long-lasting product.' - The Design Journal '...the book has been overwhelmingly successful in bringing out and presenting an issue that is of supreme importance in today's context. The readers would find this work immensely useful and thought provoking. It may also inspire bright minds to think afresh about marketing and set out to answer sticky research issues in the Marketing theory. I recommend this book especially for Doctoral level students in Marketing.' - Himandri Roy Chaudhuri, VISION Journal 'This is the book we have all been waiting for. Why is it in our own best interests to have things that last? Why do we fail to design, produce and maintain longer-lasting products in the interests of global survival, climate change mitigation, and out of consideration for future generations? Tim Cooper's excellent collection of essays highlights in scholarly and practical ways how to enhance the life-span of vehicles, appliances, furniture, clothing and footwear. The essays supported by a project of the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council show how policies that focus on product longevity are crucial to future prosperity. They alert us to the danger of thinking that a li
