Analyzing parameters of sustainable design in office furniture sector in Türkiye

Utilizing sustainable development and production methods results in more socially and economically sustainable products while minimizing negative environmental impacts. The aim of this study is to determine the parameters of sustainable design in furniture, to find out the level of awareness of selected prominent Turkish furniture companies as to the implications of these parameters, and to determine the possibilities and drawbacks considering the production of sustainable Turkish furniture. The research includes analyses of the three dimensions of sustainable design, which are: environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Additionally, it assesses both green-labeled and not green-labeled furniture firms that originated in Türkiye. The methods used to achieve the study's goal included a literature review, a questionnaire survey, and a parameter-based comparative analysis on selected case products. The questionnaire was conducted on 8 office furniture firms, which were selected based on criteria. The collected data was analyzed in detail using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Furthermore, a parameter-based comparative analysis was conducted on selected case products of the firms relying on the information collected about the products within the questionnaire survey. The study concludes that selected furniture firms are aware of sustainability, particularly in the environmental dimension, considering the fact that they aim to receive the TSE certification in order to achieve market competitiveness and enhance their brand image. However, parameters, where low performances are recovered by the firms are identified. Finally, recommendations were given to the firms on what design strategies to use in order to improve their performance in achieving sustainability in all three dimensions.