Sustainable Product Service Systems Research Articles

Evaluation and instantiation of a generic process model for early-stage sustainable product-service system design within three manufacturing companies

Although product-service systems (PSS) have been in focus in literature and industry for some years, no generically agreed or applied PSS design process exists thus far, in contrast to the neighbouring fields of product development or service design, respectively. This paper presents the evaluation and instantiation of a recently proposed generic process model (GPM) for early-stage sustainable PSS design in capital goods manufacturing companies. The model was applied in three case studies with an aim to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the GPM concerning eight criteria, and study its instantiation process actions to a company-specific model while simultaneously identifying and proposing solutions for challenges to instantiation. Based on observation and feedback received from the companies, the GPM shows promise for widespread applicability, aided by proposed guidelines for instantiating the GPM to company-specific contexts, as also described in this paper. These guidelines aim to facilitate the translation of the GPM into pragmatic models for practitioners in the field of PSS design, thus increasing its chances of successful implementation as well as impact.

Correction to: Concept Design Evaluation of Sustainable Product–Service Systems: A QFD–TOPSIS Integrated Framework with Basic Uncertain Linguistic Information

Correction to: Concept Design Evaluation of Sustainable Product–Service Systems: A QFD–TOPSIS Integrated Framework with Basic Uncertain Linguistic Information

Proposal of Industry 5.0-Enabled Sustainability of Product–Service Systems and Its Quantitative Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Method

In the wake of Industry 4.0, the ubiquitous internet of things provides big data to potentially quantify the environmental footprint of green products. Further, as the concept of Industry 5.0 emphasizes, the increasing mass customization production makes the product configurations full of individuation and diversification. Driven by these fundamental changes, the design for sustainability of a high-mix low-volume product–service system faces the increasingly deep coupling of technology-driven product solutions and value-driven human-centric goals. The multi-criteria decision making of sustainability issues is prone to fall into the complex, contradictory, fragmented, and opaque flood of information. To this end, this work presents a data-driven quantitative method for the sustainability assessment of product–service systems by integrating analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) methods to measure the sustainability of customized products and promote the Industry 5.0-enabled sustainable product–service system practice. This method translates the sustainability assessment into a multi-criteria decision-making problem, to find the solution that meets the most important criteria while minimizing trade-offs between conflicting criteria, such as individual preferences or needs and the life cycle sustainability of bespoke products. In the future, the presented method can extend to cover more concerns of Industry 5.0, such as digital-twin-driven recyclability and disassembly of customized products, and the overall sustainability and resilience of the supply chain.

Concept Design Evaluation of Sustainable Product–Service Systems: A QFD–TOPSIS Integrated Framework with Basic Uncertain Linguistic Information

Concept Design Evaluation of Sustainable Product–Service Systems: A QFD–TOPSIS Integrated Framework with Basic Uncertain Linguistic Information

Bibliometric Analysis of a Product–Service System’s Rebound Effect: Identification of a Potential Mitigation Strategy

A product–service system (PSS) is a concept concerning sustainability, as it offers the opportunity to decouple economic success from material consumption, thereby reducing the environmental impact of economic activities. However, researchers have identified significant barriers frequently impeding sustainability potential, which are called rebound effects. Unfortunately, the existing studies are insufficient, and there are few published studies on the actual avoidance of the rebound effect, which is a significant limitation for practical applications for decision-makers and policymakers. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric review of the relationship between the rebound effect and PSSs, including its drivers and mitigation strategies. This study incorporates multiple perspectives to map and analyze the landscape of rebound effect research in the context of PSSs and used 152 articles from a systematic literature review covering all publication years. Using the Scopus and Web of Science database, journals, citations, authors, and keywords were identified. This study identified the annual trend of research, listed the most influential articles, and uncovered six research topic clusters related to the rebound effect and PSSs. As an innovative feature of this study, it categorised the identified drivers based on their contextual dependencies to elucidate their interrelationships. This study also presents a categorisation of mitigation strategies based on the type of approach. This study is expected to support decision-makers and practitioners in developing sustainable PSS implementation strategies.

Design for Well-Being and Sustainability: A Conceptual Framework of the Peer-to-Peer Sharing and Reuse Platform in the Circular Economy

To regain overall well-being in the post-pandemic era, the priorities should not be only economic growth but also human physical and mental health. This study investigates how to incorporate the concept of well-being into the circular economy to facilitate the pursuit of individual/personal and social growth, and sustainable consumption. We begin with a systematic search of the literature on well-being and sustainable product–service systems, model the well-being components in peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing and reuse platforms, and propose design guidelines for platform development. According to our findings, (1) allocentric well-being components (such as gratitude, contribution, and altruism) serve as the antecedents of sharing behaviors, while egocentric components (such as pleasure and attachment) serve as the consequences, and (2) information sharing is crucial to initiating the flow of well-being perceptions and sustainable sharing and reuse behaviors. Based on the findings, we suggest a data-driven approach and active inference theory to facilitate related studies. This study sheds light on the potential to develop well-being within the circular economy and facilitate the sustainable working of the sharing and reuse ecosystem.

Impact of green practices through green product and service innovation: sustainable product-service system performance model

ABSTRACT Today, the manufacturing industry faces worldwide challenges, ecological hazards, climate change, and the use of non-renewable natural resources, so industry players are manoeuvring in a sustainable direction. In this case, green manufacturing practices are used as a starter to contribute to products and services that can help achieve sustainable development goals. The research aims to explore green practices with empirical evidence in the literature and expert opinions of tire manufacturing industry practitioners. The study proposes a framework of key factors: TMC (Top Management Commitment), PPP (Pollution Prevention Practices), and PSP (Product Stewardship Practices) that can affect GPSI (Green Product Service Innovation) significantly affect SPSSP (Sustainable Product-Service System Performance). The study used statistical analysis to calculate the minimum sample size with (G*Power 3.1), the results were 205 respondents adequate, and structural model analysis using Structural Equation Modeling (SmartPLS 4.0). The results show that TMC and PSP significantly affect SPSSP, but PPP does not affect SPSSP. The findings also suggest that the relationship between key factors and SPSSP can be mediated by GPSI. The recommendations of this study provide suggestions to top management for the adoption of GPSI as a novelty in green manufacturing, and as value creation for sustainable development achievements.

Sustainable smart product-service systems: a causal logic framework for impact design

Digital technologies can elevate product-service systems (PSS) to smart PSS, which focus on performance rather than ownership and are considered a means for dematerialization. However, transitioning to smart PSS does not guarantee sustainability. To understand the impact of smart PSS holistically, we take a two-pronged approach. First, we use the theory of change to conceptualize the causal link between sustainable smart PSS and their ultimate impact. We develop a three-step causal logic framework consisting of design, causation, and impact. Within this framework, we identify the business model properties of sustainable smart PSS as design characteristics and categorize the eventual impacts based on the triple bottom line. We introduce the term multi-causal pathway to describe the causation processes underlining the possibility of non-linearity and multi-causality. Second, we conduct a systematic literature review to investigate the mechanisms linking design and impact. Based on an analysis of 63 publications, we identify 17 specific mechanisms and group them into four types: information, resource, empowerment, and adverse mechanisms. Visualizing our results, we develop a morphological box as a toolkit for managers to develop their own impact-oriented logic model by identifying and activating the multi-causal pathway that fosters the desired sustainability effects. Moreover, discussing our framework, we develop research propositions and managerial questions for impact design. By linking the theory of change with the business model impact, we contribute toward a conceptual synthesis for understanding the impact of (sustainable) smart PSS.

A Study on Smart Medical Product Service System for the Elderly With Chronic Disease at Home

This study aims to improve the service quality and management level of smart medical products for the in-home elderly with chronic diseases. Based on the existing health and elderly care products, services related to the products are added to build a sustainable intelligent medical product service system for the in-home elderly with chronic diseases, consisting of intelligent elderly care products, health services and support facilities. Adopting the product service system theory, the current situation of self-management and health service needs of the elderly with chronic diseases in china were investigated through stakeholder analysis, user interviews and role models. Combined with the KJ method, the problem points and needs were classified, a strategy was proposed to extend the value of the smart medical product service system for the elderly with chronic diseases. Results can be used to solve the contradiction between the demand and supply of medical and health services for the in-home elderly with chronic diseases, to promote the healthy, orderly and sustainable development of the in-home elderly services, and improve the living quality of the chronically ill elderly in their old age.

A proposed framework for product-service system business model design

Manufacturing companies still struggle to change their business models to offer product-service systems (PSS). The business model provides an integrating concept that allows the analysis of key dimensions involved in PSS development. However, less attention has been paid to how to plan PSS business models and their implementation. To overcome these challenges, this work proposes a framework for designing a PSS business model, considering the concurrent design of sustainable operations and business models. This work adopts a set of transdisciplinary research approaches, namely: (i) literature reviews; (ii) construction of the proposed framework adopting a concept-based approach; (iii) empirical studies involving two small PSS developers; (iv) assessment of the proposal; and (v) further improvement of the framework based on feedbacks, interactions with PSS developers, and literature reviews. The framework can represent a PSS business model by enabling the joint visualization of the components of the business model and their alignment. It integrates the PSS ‘value network’ based on ‘value proposition’, and includes ‘value drivers’ or sources of value creation, namely: novelty, effectiveness, complementarities, and loyalty. As a result, this paper contributes to offer a framework that adds to the PSS business model research, enabling the development of more sustainable PSS. In particular, it extends the identification of challenges concerning the PSS business model design. Finally, PSS business models should be designed to taken into account value-in-use, co-creation, and integration of the sustainable principles to generate superior value for the ‘value network’.

A paradox approach to sustainable product-service systems

A move towards the business model of product-service systems (PSS) holds the promise of changing customer behaviour in a more sustainable direction. While this promise of PSS to play a key role in business sustainability has long been recognised, so far, the realised sustainability benefits remain limited. This article sheds light on the reasons why PSS seem to struggle with delivering on their potential. It develops the argument that sustainable PSS are fraught with paradoxical tensions between their marketability and their potential to achieve substantive sustainability benefits. Applying a paradox lens, the article identifies six paradoxes inherent to sustainable PSS and argues that unlocking their full potential to achieve sustainability benefits requires a proactive approach to respond to these paradoxes.

Triple Bottom Line impacts of traditional Product-Service Systems models: Myth or truth? A Natural Language Understanding approach

Currently, there is in the literature a debate concerning the real impact of Product-Service Systems (PSS) models on society. It is now stated that PSS does not necessarily lead to sustainable solutions in practice from a Triple Bottom Line (TBL) perspective. On the other hand, a promising approach, i.e. the Sustainable Product-Service Systems (SPSS) approach, has received attention from scholars within this debate. However, due to the novelty of this discussion, there is insufficient understanding of the synergies and divergences between both approaches regarding the potential to deliver TBL solutions to society. To address these lacks, this study examines the synergies and divergences between PSS and the emerging SPSS to deliver TBL solutions to society. Qualitative and quantitative research approaches were adopted to address the research questions. First, a structured literature review was employed. The literature analysis was segmented into two distinct periods (i.e., first period from 1990 to 2009, and the second period from 2010 to 2021). Next, the Natural Language Understanding (NLU) tools based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Neural Networks were applied to analyse the conceptual definitions retrieved from the relevant literature and extract new knowledge regarding both approaches. Third, the patterns of new knowledge were analysed against the literature in the area leading to research findings. Overall, findings indicate that, from a TBL perspective, SPSS is an emerging and promising approach in which the environmental and social dimensions are more salient than in the traditional PSS models. The study also unveils the central concepts related to both approaches in the extant literature. The article extends the current knowledge on PSS and SPSS, guiding the research communities interested in this area and unlocking the present and future challenges towards an effective sustainable-oriented economy. This article is a pioneering study to examine how the PSS and SPSS concepts have advanced towards TBL solutions in society.

A Product-Service System for Safety Footwear

AbstractThis paper proposes that safety footwear manufacture shifts towards a sustainable Product-Service System (PSS). The PSS consists of seven stages from identification of requirements through to disposal or replacement. Through this, designers and manufacturers can realise safety footwear that is customised to end user sizing, function, industry and aesthetic requirements. For end users, this PSS leads to the creation of more comfortable and practicable footwear, addressing the underlying level of acceptance of uncomfortable safety footwear, reducing waste and providing sex specific offerings.

A conceptual model to support sustainable Product-Service System implementation in the Brazilian agricultural machinery industry

Many studies demonstrate the potential contribution of the Product-Service System (PSS) to the development of sustainable management practices and Circular Economy (CE). However, companies face challenges when implementing PSS, and few studies examine how the manufacturing industry can develop sustainable offerings by adopting product-oriented PSS, especially in the agricultural machinery industry. Thus, we investigated how this industry perceives environmental sustainability and product-oriented PSS, and we identified practices that can be implemented to qualify the life cycle management of their products. Based on that, we proposed a conceptual model for implementing product-oriented PSS in the agricultural machinery sector. An exploratory research was carried out in two steps: a systematic literature review complemented by multiple case studies. We list the possibilities of product-oriented PSS services that can be offered for traditional industries to guide their business towards sustainable practices. In parallel, we have identified good practices and benefits of adopting product-oriented PSS. Subsequently, we conducted a diagnosis on sustainability and product-oriented PSS in agricultural machinery companies. Although companies already offer some services to customers, our results show ample opportunities for improvement, especially to offer product-oriented PSS considering socio-environmental issues. In this sense, the conceptual model proposed allows industries to expand their understanding and adherence to product-oriented PSS. As contributions, we demonstrate how the agricultural machinery industry can develop sustainable practices and promote CE through product-oriented PSS implementation.

Characterizing and Defining of Designing Sustainable Product-Service Systems Applied to Distributed Water-Energy-Food Nexus

The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus significantly and effectively address sustainability issues internationally. However, there has been little attention paid to the WEF Nexus challenges related to sustainable livelihoods, such as resource access, resource security, and resource utilization. Given the need to establish design research, policy formulation, and resource management based on end-user needs, new research hypotheses and available models must be proposed on a small-scale scale of households and communities. This paper combines the Sustainable Product-Service System (SPSS) and Distributed Economies (DE), two prospective and intertwined models combining environmental, social, and economic sustainability with the WEF Nexus approach, to emphasize the shift to small-scale and highly localized WEF systems and the product and service system based on the satisfaction unit, i.e., designing SPSS applied to Distributed WEF Nexus. This paradigm shift is presented and detailed in an 11-dimensional canvas with an analytical, conceptual research approach to help to define and analyze the characteristics of existing solutions and promote innovative ideas or scenarios in a sustainable WEF nexus. The new 11-dimensional canvas tool, in particular, is thought to have the potential to become a basic research analysis and innovative strategic tool in this field after being tested and evaluated by forty companies, experts, and designers in China and Italy. Finally, despite considerable implementation obstacles, this innovative application of multi-mode integration still has the potential for win-win sustainability, to meet human needs for clean water, safe energy, and sufficient food, ultimately accelerating the transition to a sustainable society.

Extracting the relationship between product-service system features and their implementation barriers based on a literature review

Product-service systems (PSSs) are gaining traction as a means of achieving sustainability. Predicting potential barriers of PSSs at the design phase is crucial for enhancing their social acceptability. To realise such predictions, designers should understand the relationship between potential barriers and features of designing PSSs in advance. Although existing studies have investigated several barriers in the design, implementation, and operation of PSSs, the relationship between the barriers and the PSS features is not sufficiently clear. Thus, predicting potential barriers during the design process remains challenging. The aim of this study was to propose a method to predict potential barriers based on the features of a PSS designed to enable appropriate preventive actions towards a sustainable PSS. To this end, this study investigated potential barriers and developed the categories that organise barriers in each life cycle phase (design, implementation, operation, etc.) of PSSs based on a literature review. Then, tendencies of the relationship between barriers and the features of PSSs were extracted by applying the developed categories to several PSS case studies. This result is effective for designers’ appropriate preventive actions for PSS configuration in the design phase by predicting potential barriers from the features of PSS being designed.

Towards territorial product-service systems: A framework linking resources, networks and value creation

While many models for sustainable product-service systems (PSS) integrate the multi-actor perspective, few provide insights on how the territory in which actors implement the system influences its sustainability. This paper explores the implementation of a territorial PSS at a city or regional scale as a means to structuring value networks and enhancing its sustainability potential. The research combines a multidisciplinary literature review with two exploratory sustainable PSS cases in packaging and cloth baby diapers. The paper proposes a framework explaining how sustainable PSS providers develop territorial networks that consider a diversity of actors from civil, industrial, and public spheres to mobilize resources for value creation at organizational, network, and territorial levels. It identifies contextual factors, such as proximity, social embeddedness of relations, and the visions that influence the consolidation and sustainability of the territorial PSS networks. The empirical cases show the development of territorial networks enhances embed social relations among actors and enables the sustainable PSS concept to adapt to locally articulated sustainability principles and priorities. The paper discusses the implications of this approach for PSS for sustainability managers and designers. The study fills a gap by showing the importance of integrating a diversity of territorial actors as a pre-condition for PSS to contribute to the sustainability transitions and resilience of territories. Future research may validate the proposed framework and focus on identifying opportunities and barriers for the territorial PSS approach in different contexts such as industries and company sizes.

SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH THE DIGITALIZATION: EXPLORING POTENTIALS AND DESIGNING VALUE CO-CREATION ARCHITECTURES FOR PRODUCT-SERVICE-SYSTEMS

AbstractDigitalization and sustainability are major challenges for today's manufacturing industry. While digitalization is characterized by the incorporation of digital technologies in the products and services as well as the value creation architectures, sustainability requires them to balance economic, environmental and social issues. In both areas, especially Product Service Systems (PSS) are constantly gaining importance. This results in so called smart PSS that integrate digital technologies as well as sustainable PSS which aim at a positive impact on sustainability. Both two concepts cannot be clearly delimited since smart PSS might be designed for sustainability as well and sustainable PSS might be used with digital technologies. This paper aims to investigate the interrelations. To that, digitalization patterns of products and services are evaluated regarding their sustainable impact. The evaluation is conducted by a survey in research and industry. Furthermore, the design of the underlying value creation architecture is investigated. Here, a methodology is proposed enabling companies to optimize their value creation architecture.

Evaluating the interactions of multi-dimensional value for sustainable product-service system with grey DEMATEL-ANP approach

Thus far, researches related to sustainable product-service system (PSS) largely investigate the interrelationships of factors with a focus on consumer, and concentrate on the requirement identification for PSS design; few address the interactions of multiple value from different stakeholders in the sustainable PSS implementation. In this paper, the multi-dimensional value elements for sustainable PSS are recognized to maximize the mutual value among stakeholders and realize sustainable benefits in PSS, considering customer value perceptions, customer service requirements, sustainability potentials and partnership establishment simultaneously. Then the interdependencies of value elements are prioritized with a hybrid model, which incorporates Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), Analytical Network Process (ANP) and grey theory. In accordance with cause-effect relationship, strength of interactions, as well as influential weight of criteria, the predominant value factors and the improvement direction for sustainable PSS are identified. The results of the present work can provide the decision-makers in manufacturing enterprise with theoretical guideline to implement sustainable PSS successfully from the perspective of multi-dimensional value coordination among different stakeholders.

Sustainable Product-Service Systems Customization: A Case Study Research in the Medical Equipment Sector

The paper proposes a Product-Service System (PSS) methodology for customizing solutions to different patterns of use while achieving a better environmental performance than a stand-alone product. The approach is based on combining the Quality Function Deployment for Product-Service Systems (QFDforPSS) and the Screening Life Cycle Modeling (SLCM) tools. QFDforPSS is augmented by the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to reduce service-related ambiguities and uncertainties on the one hand and better define the product and service characteristics of the solution on the other. The SLCM evaluates the possible outcomes by determining the environmental impact and comparing it with the manufacturer’s current solution. A case study at a manufacturer of medical diagnostic equipment illustrates the use of the approach depicting the possible benefits that can arise: the PSS solution can be customized to fit customers who intensively use the product and consumers with a more moderate use. This offers flexibility and an optimized life cycle through easier maintenance, upgrades, and end-of-life schemes. Concretely, it shows how the PSS approach can enhance the development of sustainable solutions that can be adapted to varying and future customer needs, such as adjusting current solutions to new requirements, i.e., adapting existing products to COVID-19 detection and different levels of use.