**2. Research method**

The represented research in this book chapter reviews the major works on the Front End of Innovation, Sustainable Design and the current state of the art in literature of front-end sustainability. It aims to identify gaps, challenges, issues and opportunities for further study and research. A literature review seems to be a valid approach, as it is a necessary step in structuring an in-depth research field and forms an integral part of any research conducted [3].

The main focus of this book chapter is the Product Innovation Process. Articles focusing on other aspects of an innovation process were not included, e.g. the review does not in‐ cludenew marketing methods, or dimensions on new organizational methods in business practices, workplace organization or external relations. To limit the number of publica‐ tions, papers mainly addressing sustainable design on a macro ecology level were also ex‐ cluded from the review. Similarly, research with a highly craftsmanship rather than an industrial product design perspective were also excluded. Although these variables might be important antecedents to how firms eventually perform their FE activities, they are not focused on here.

Furthermore, the term denoting 'product' has several meanings frequently used in litera‐ ture. In this book chapter, the term product means either the physical form of an object, a service or otherwise a product-service system.
