Toward a Pattern Language for Eco-Business Design

The objective of this study is to seek a pattern language in the domain of eco-business design. A pattern language is first proposed in the field of architecture. By using patterns as the basis for a shared agreement in a community, users and stakeholders in the community can design buildings and their surrounding environment in a cooperative manner. This paper first discusses key features of the language that enables a cooperative eco-business design among multiple stakeholders. It goes on to describe how to formulate the language by using a causal-loop diagram as well as rules that were established by analyzing 130 eco-business cases in Japan. A simplified case study is also provided to illustrate how to use the language.