Alexis Jacoby associate professor

Research Alexis Jacoby

Research team

Expertise

Research into methods, tools and techniques in order to support or optimize the process of product design, product development and innovation. Focus on the Front-end of Innovation and systemic design problems.

Corporate transition to the Circular Economy: a systemic design approach. 01/10/2021 - 30/09/2025

Abstract

The production of goods in companies mostly follows a linear approach in which raw materials and resources are converted into products and, after use, into waste flows that will be partially recycled. On both the international level and the local level the awareness grows that this linear production process is not sustainable on the long term and that a transition towards a more Circular Economy is essential. This transition will have a major impact on the way companies innovate and the way products and services are designed and developed. The starting point for this research is the fact that a transition into a Circular Economy cannot be realized only on the level of product and service design but that innovation is also necessary on the level of the socio-technical system. A broad range of multidisciplinary factors, such as stakeholders' behaviour and motivation, business modelling, regulations, the learning curve for change, etc., have to be taken into account. The broadness and the complexity of the context in which sustainable innovation originates asks for an approach in which systems thinking takes a central role. This research project addresses the research question how a systemic design process in a firm's context can contribute to a transition into a Circular Economy and which design approach is necessary to grasp the complexity of this transition. The research focuses on the implementation of systemic solutions and the way the strengths of the existing system can contribute to the transition. The research project will result in new knowledge on the systemic design process and in a new design methodology that can support design consultants or in-company design departments to support the process of sustainable innovation for the transition into a Circular Economy. The research combines qualitative research with design-inclusive research. Firstly, a theoretical framework is constructed that will provide the foundation for the development of a systemic design approach, customized for innovating companies. Secondly, a systemic design methodology is developed applying design-inclusive participatory research in the context of two company-related cases. The research builds on a cyclical and iterative process that leads to both theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge on the way it can be applied in the firm's context.

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  • Research Project

Research to increase confidence in maternal vaccination by digital communication interventions. 23/09/2021 - 28/02/2022

Abstract

Since pregnant women, fetuses and neonates are highly vulnerable to infectious diseases related morbidity and mortality, it of utmost important to understand barriers in the uptake of maternal vaccines to decrease vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination coverage in fertile, pregnant and lactating women. Therefore a multidisciplinary team of experts at the University Antwerp is created, to investigate the different aspects of social media communication and its impact on vaccine confidence, acceptance and coverage in fertile, pregnant and lactating women. To study this, five research objectives are formulated: - Study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased social media communication and search behavior on attitude toward and confidence in maternal vaccines. - Develop a social listening and monitoring tool, specifically for maternal vaccination, that contributes to the systems map with social media data by identifying influential factors and that can monitor trends in vaccine hesitancy over time. - Identify interlinkage between influencing factors by using systemic thinking which may detect the dynamics among the factors that may lead to increase in vaccine confidence. - Experimental evaluation of the impact of potential social media communication strategies on behavior towards maternal vaccination. - Comparison of influential factors in different countries.

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  • Research Project

Enriched nature": A system design to make leisure time in nature more accessible to disadvantaged groups. 01/06/2021 - 31/05/2023

Abstract

With its leisure offer, the province of Antwerp strongly focuses on experiencing greenery and nature, but notes that disadvantaged groups do not make optimal use of this. Research has shown that contact with nature has a positive effect on people's well-being. Using methods of human-centred and systemic design, the project maps the barriers to participation. Possible intervention models are defined on the basis of system maps, in co-creation with the target group and other stakeholders.

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  • Research Project

Cobioto, Corneale Biopsy Tool. 06/03/2017 - 05/03/2018

Abstract

Keratitis, or an inflammation of the cornea, is a common eye disease in which a biopsy of the cornea is required to determine its underlying cause which can range from infectious causes (including viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic), mechanical (contact lens wear), non infectious (Vitamin A deficiency) (Gorski et al., 2015). Currently, no standardized tool is available for taking such biopsy and corneal scrapings are performed with a scalpel or wide bore needle, very often with inconclusive results as too little material is removed for fear of penetration. Consequently, biopsies are not performed as often and a broad-spectrum antibiotic is prescribed, assuming bacterial keratitis. The delay in providing optimal treatment can result in untoward sequelae such as corneal scarring and opacification requiring corneal transplantation. Collaborative research between the department of ophthalmology (UZA) Centre for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine (Ophthalmology/Vaxinfectio – UA/UZA) and Product Development (UA) together with the industrial partner D.O.R.C. will lead to the development of a standardized tool for taking a biopsy of the cornea where the safety of the patient is guaranteed thereby addressing the aforementioned shortcomings.

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  • Research Project

Ideating Hybrid Product Service Systems. 01/10/2015 - 30/09/2019

Abstract

The aim of the project is to define a methodology to develop hybrid product/service system combinations (PSS), The project focusses on the domain of industrial product development. A process approach is defined and relevant stakeholders are identified. The research starts by an extensive literature overview that discloses the differences in the FEI between the development of a service, a product and a digital application and gives insights in the need for a more integrated system. This will be followed by a qualitative research with experts. Case studies are further used to map different development processes which lead to the mapping of patterns in the current development approach.

Researcher(s)

Research team(s)

Project type(s)

  • Research Project