Guidelines and facilitators for minimizing barriers in the implementation of product-service systems: a framework focused on circular economy

Abstract

The transition to a circular economy is gaining notoriety as society demands alternative forms of production and consumption. In this context, Product-Service Systems have the potential to reconcile economic and socio-environmental development. However, the implementation of Product-Service Systems has limitations, such as poor understanding of the system, difficulties in monitoring and establishing relationships with stakeholders. In order to guarantee guarantee a successful implementation of Product-Service Systems, there is a need to understand these organizational challenges and to present opportunities to mitigate these barriers. The goal of this paper is to identify facilitators and construct guidelines, capable of minimizing barriers in the implementation of a Product-Service System. To achieve this goal, a systematic literature review was conducted, contemplating bibliometric and content analysis (57 papers were read in full). The results of the bibliometric analysis point to the need to expand business proposals to different economic and cultural contexts, since they are mainly concentrated in developed countries. The content analysis presented a framework with guidelines, subguidelines, and facilitators, classified according to the PSS dimensions: provider, offer, and consumer. Thus, 111 facilitators were identified, and 26 subguidelines and 11 guidelines were built, demonstrating the contribution of the Circular Economy for the minimization of barriers in the implementation of the Product-Service System. The research highlights that approximately 73% of the facilitators correspond to the provider dimension, emphasizing the need to promote organizational changes and to adapt business proposals, adding value to the solution or to the results. However, the research highlights the need for the involvement of all stakeholders, where the customer must also promote changes in habits and an awareness of sustainable development. Finally, it is emphasized that this research provides a theoretical basis for the development of empirical studies, applying and expanding the knowledge of the interrelationship between Circular Economy and Product-Service Systems.