The growing e-commerce industry and online shopping is increasing the demand for transportation services world-wide. This expanding industry is beneficial for the economic aspects of society, but the transportation of packages is also causing major environmental impacts along the supply chain. The environmental impact of waste and emissions attributed to the manufacturing and shipment of packages are concluded by many scholars, stressing the importance of sustainable alternatives and innovations. Environmental concerns perceived by customers, governments and other stakeholders are increasingly pressuring companies to develop sustainable products, packaging and shipping. And yet, many customers still demand low-cost and fast shipping, making the development of green packaging and shipping uncertain as an investment. New legislations entering in effect year 2021 will successfully reduce the plastic waste in world-oceans and landfill, but at the same time limit the use of effective fit-to-use packaging which will inevitably result in larger packages occupying more space in transportation vessels. This study will examine the daily practice of e-commerce companies in Sweden, studying their knowledge and thoughts regarding green packaging development with an emphasis on the maximum fill rate of the secondary transit packaging level. Interviews with five companies were conducted, studying their daily practices. The analysis of the empiric data was conducted using transcriptions, to minimize bias, all analysis was collectively interpreted by the researchers. Our result show that companies consider low-cost, protected and fast shipping to be the most important demands of their customers, the companies view sustainability as a bonus rather than a competitive advantage. The results also suggest that air in packaging is viewed as extra protection for the goods, and the negative impacts are overseen. The available studies and prior works describing green packaging development actions are quite clear, however, the companies neglect the opportunities to develop green packaging due to economic barriers and perceived customer demands, thus creating a gap between practice and theory.

Šio tiriamojo darbo tikslas yra suformuluoti inovatyvios pakuotės kaip komunikacijos priemonės kūrimo modelį. Teorinėje darbo dalyje analizuojama pakuotės funkcijos ir elementai, iškeliamos pagrindinės priežastys sąlygojančios pakuotės inovacijų poreikį, aprašomos teorinės pakuotės inovacijų taikymo galimybės ir pateikiamas pakuotės kaip komunikacijos priemonės susiformavimas ir įtaka. Analitinėje darbo dalyje pateikiami ir analizuojami rezultatai tyrimo, atlikto naudojant kiekybinio tyrimo metodą – apklausą, kurios metu buvo siekiama nustatyti, kokią įtaką inovatyvūs pakuotės sprendimai turi prekės ir prekės ženklo suvokimui bei pirkimo elgsenai. Projektinėje darbo dalyje suformuluoti tokie sprendimai: inovatyvios pakuotės kaip komunikacijos priemonės kūrimas turėtų susidėti iš penkių pagrindinių etapų, kurie yra – analizė; pakuotės komunikacijos objekto pasirinkimas; pakuotės tikslo suformulavimas; pakuotės elementų tikslo įgyvendinimui pasirinkimas; pasirinktų elementų panaudojimas remiantis naujausiomis pakuotės tendencijomis. / The aim of this research is to formulate innovative packaging development model which would increase packaging communication effect. The theoretical part of the paper analyzes functions and elements of the package, brings the main reasons leading to packaging innovations, describes the theoretical applications of packaging innovations and highlights the growth of packaging importance and influence as a communication tool. The analytical part of the paper presents and analyzes the results of a study carried out by using quantitative research method - a survey, which was conducted to determine the impact of innovative packaging solutions to shopper‘s brand perception and purchasing behavior. The final part of work suggests following results: innovative packaging as a communication tool should be created based on five steps, which are - analysis, decision making on packaging communication object, decision making on packaging funkctions, choosing packaging elements for functions implementation, adjust the use of chosen elements to newest packaging trends.

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a aplicação do método conhecido como Desdobramento da Função Qualidade no processo de desenvolvimento de embalagens. Este estudo é delimitado para embalagens de autopeças e foi realizado numa montadora de automóveis. A Casa da Qualidade, primeira etapa do método, foi utilizada pelo setor de desenvolvimento de embalagens da montadora para identificar e atender as necessidades dos seus clientes internos e orientar os fornecedores de autopeças no desenvolvimento de embalagens visando melhor qualidade e redução de custos. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em 2008/ 2009. Essas necessidades foram obtidas por meio de pesquisa qualitativa com as áreas envolvidas no processo de desenvolvimento de embalagens. O trabalho pode ser classificado como exploratório, pois, a partir do levantamento bibliográfico do método QFD e da realização de entrevistas, buscou-se uma melhor compreensão do problema associado a constantes atrasos no cronograma devido à necessidade de alterações da embalagem protótipo. Como resultado preliminar, este estudo permitiu visualizar aspectos importantes relativos a embalagens que não eram considerados na fase inicial do desenvolvimento. Isso ocasionava constantes atrasos no cronograma de aplicação da peça nacional devido à necessidade de alterações na embalagem protótipo. / The objective of this study is to analyze the method known as Quality Function Deployment in the development of packaging. This study is limited to packing of parts packaging and it was carried out in a factory of assembly of cars. The house of quality, first step of the method was used by the industry to develop packages of the factory to identify and meet the needs of your internal customers and direct suppliers of parts in the development of packages aimed at providing better quality and reduced costs. The study was conducted in 2008 / 2009. These needs were obtained through qualitative research with the areas involved in the development of packaging. The work can be classified as exploratory, because from the literature of the QFD method and interviews, we sought a better understanding of the problem associated with constant delays in planning due to the need for changes to the packaging prototype. As preliminary result, this study allowed the visualization of important aspects relating to packaging that were not considered in the initial phase of development. This occasioned the frequent delays in the planning of implementation of the national part due to the need for changes in packaging prototype.

I takt med globaliseringen och en ökande konsumtion världen över skapas också ett växande behov för diverse olika förpackningslösningar. De flesta varor på dagens marknader är förpackade på något sätt och detta kräver att det måste produceras oerhört mycket förpackningsmaterial varje dag, vilket tär mycket på jordens resurser utifrån flera perspektiv. Trots detta är förpackningar i många fall nödvändiga och behövs idag för flera olika syften såsom skyddande av produkt, transport och rent marknadsföringsmässigt. Dessa är dock inte de enda viktiga aspekter som behöver övervägas när det kommer till att skapa förpackningar som uppfyller alla dagens krav och som även har hållbarhet i åtanke genom hela försörjningskedjan. Hållbara förpackningslösningar och en miljömedveten industri är därför mycket aktuellt idag. Det blir således intressant att studera hur dessa olika viktiga aspekter prioriteras av produktutvecklare och hur man på olika sätt involverar slutkonsumentens önskemål i processen. En ytterligare intressant aspekt att studera behandlar hur förpackningsindustrin kan påverka slutkonsumenter till hållbara val. Detta arbete bygger dels på empiriska studier i form av semistrukturerade företagsintervjuer på ett förpackningsföretag samt slutkonsumentintervjuer. Detta har kombinerats med en litteraturstudie som har byggt upp den teoretiska referensram som har använts i arbetet. Vidare har dessa jämförts och analyserats vilket har skapat förutsättningarna för diskussionen och slutsatsen som arbetet har mynnat ut i. Resultatet visade att förpackningsutveckling är en process där flera olika kompetenser och avdelningar måste integreras, vilket kan resultera i svåra prioriteringar och dessutom aspekter som kan komma att stå emot varandra. Någon tydlig och entydig prioriteringsordning finns inte och detta i kombination med slutkonsumenter, som utåt sett vill konsumera hållbart, men i slutändan agerar annorlunda skapar en komplex situation. Det finns således även en markant skillnad i hur produktutvecklare respektive slutkonsumenter prioriterar när det kommer till skapande av förpackningar och konsumtion av förpackningar. / In line with globalization and the increasing consumption worldwide, there is a growing need for packaging solutions of many different kinds. Most goods in today's markets are packaged in some way and this requires that an extremely large amount of packaging material is produced every day, which of course, will greatly affect the earth's resources from several perspectives. Despite this, packaging is necessary and is needed today for a variety of purposes such as protection of products, transport and in terms of marketing. However, these are not the only important aspects to consider when it comes to creating packaging that meet all of today's requirements and that also support sustainability throughout the supply chain. Sustainable packaging solutions and an environmentally conscious industry are therefore very relevant today. Thus, it becomes interesting to study how these various important aspects are prioritized by product developers and how different end consumer requirements are considered in the process in different ways. Another interesting aspect to study is how the packaging industry can influence end consumers to sustainable choices. This work is partly based on empirical studies in the form of semi-structured company interviews at a packaging company and end-consumer interviews. This, in combination with a literature study that has built the theoretical frame of reference used, have created the conditions for the analysis and discussion the work has resulted in. The result showed that packaging development is a process where several different competences and departments must be integrated, which can result in difficult priorities and in additional conflicting aspects. There is no clear and unambiguous priority list and this in combination with end consumers, who want to be considered sustainable consumers, but ultimately act differently creates a complex situation. Thus, there is also a large difference in how product developers and end-consumers, respectively, prioritize when it comes to creating packaging and consuming packaging.

This thesis is concerned with a research project conducted with a Swedish company to provide recommendations for developing a prototypical information system for the company. The system’s goal was to consolidate data regarding the company’s supply chain and packaging conditions in order to find improvements in packaging development. The thesis employed the use of Soft Systems Methodology to aid with the system development process. A qualitative explorative study was designed for this purpose. Soft Systems Methodology was used after exploring alternative methodologies. This was chosen as the researchers found it important to engage the case company in the system development process. Four semi-structured interviews and two workshops with the relevant officials were the main methods of collecting data. Models such as a rich picture, CATWOE and PQR formula were utilized during the research to visualize important aspects of the system development process. As a result of the research, the researchers were able to provide the company with recommendations for how to further proceed with the development process. Another result of the study was that Soft Systems Methodology was able to unlock tacit information. The methodology also allowed for a consideration of the implementation of an iterative process to support the development. The results of this research suggest that introducing and making use of Soft Systems Methodology is very stimulating in an environment not already using it. The research provided insights needed for progress towards a successful implementation of a new information system, and contributes a real-world SSM case in a corporate environment. The researchers also suggest future opportunities for research that could further build on the work presented in the thesis.

CNPq / Mudanças nos hábitos alimentares, nas políticas de segurança alimentar e nos estilos de vida da população tem modificado os padrões de projeto das embalagens dos alimentos. Estas mudanças são visíveis especialmente nas funções das embalagens que precisam dar conta da diversidade de oferta de alimentos congelados preparados, denominados alimentos preparados. No contexto do desenvolvimento de embalagens, questiona-se a necessidade de aprofundar a pesquisa nas funções das embalagens para essas categorias de produtos, identificando parâmetros que atendam suas especificidades. E ainda, considerando o cenário produtivo, a análise daquelas já disponíveis no mercado. Para mapear o contexto de projeto de produto, esta investigação busca delimitar as principais funções e características exigidas das embalagens de alimentos congelados preparados, bem como os métodos e práticas de projeto e o cenário de regulamentação dos órgãos normatizadores de segurança alimentar dos alimentos embalados. Como resultado dessa investigação foi elaborado um manual de referência para profissionais envolvidos na estratégia e projeto para o segmento - designers industriais e projetistas de embalagens - de modo a integrar ações, normas e métodos de projeto de produto. Uma amostragem desses perfis profissionais esteve envolvida na pesquisa com usuários e avaliação do manual e os resultados apontaram a necessidade de interlocução entre as áreas (de projeto/alimentos), reforçando a carência de materiais de referência que reúnam, de forma objetiva e sistemática, mecanismos de apoio aos responsáveis pelas análises e validações de embalagens para alimentos preparados congelados. / Changes in eating habits, the food security policies and people's lifestyles have modified food packages of design standards. These changes are visible especially in the functions of the packages that need to account for the diversity of supply of prepared frozen foods, prepared foods called. In the development of packaging, we question the need for further research into the functions of packaging for these product categories, identifying parameters that meet their specific requirements. Further, considering the manufacturing scenario, the analysis those already available on the market. To map the product design context, this research seeks to define the main functions and characteristics required of prepared frozen food packaging, as well as the methods and design practices and regulatory setting of the standard-setting bodies for food safety of packaged food. As a result of this investigation has produced a reference manual for professionals involved in strategy and design to the segment - industrial designers and packaging designers - to integrate actions, standards and product design methods. A sampling of these professional profiles has been involved in research with users and manual evaluation and the results showed the need for dialogue between the areas (design / food), reinforcing the lack of reference materials, comprising an objective and systematic way, mechanisms support those responsible for analysis and packaging validations for frozen prepared foods.