Search Results (102)

This study proposes a design method for the evaluation and redesign of product–service systems (PSSs) from the perspective of social sustainability, one that applies Max-Neef’s framework of fundamental human needs. The proposed method systematically connects PSS functions and requirements—identified through service blueprints and value graphs—to “satisfiers” and “barriers” extracted via needs-based workshops. This connection enables the identification of functions that either contribute to or hinder the fulfillment of fundamental human needs and guide the generation of redesign proposals aimed at sufficiency-oriented outcomes. A case study involving a smart-cart system in Osaka, Japan, was conducted to demonstrate the applicability of the method. Through an online workshop, satisfiers and barriers related to both physical and online shopping experiences were identified. The analysis revealed that existing functions such as promotional information and automated checkout processes negatively impacted needs such as understanding and affection due to information overload and reduced human interaction. In response, redesign concepts were developed, including filtering options for information, product background storytelling, and optional slower checkout lanes with human assistants. The redesigned functions contribute to the fulfillment of fundamental human needs, indicating that the proposed method can enhance social sustainability in PSS design. This study offers a novel framework that extends beyond traditional customer requirement-based approaches by explicitly incorporating human needs into function-level redesign. Full article

The increasing integration of sustainable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, into the national electricity grid presents significant challenges in terms of frequency control and grid stability. Additionally, the imbalance between electricity supply and demand introduces dynamic frequency variations. However, according to the literature, the impact of high penetration of renewable energy sources on the Tunisian grid has not been extensively analyzed using power system simulator for engineering (PSS/E). This research paper explores how the primary reserve technique participates to maintain frequency within acceptable ranges in the Tunisian electrical grid. Individual generators contribute to the total power output, thereby influencing frequency deviation. The primary frequency control action by each generator is proportional to its frequency deviation and inversely proportional to its governing drop, which measures the generator’s sensitivity to frequency changes. This paper analyzes frequency stability in the Tunisian grid under scenarios with and without different rates of sustainable energy source penetration, which barely reached 3.5% in 2023. In Tunisia, the use of sustainable energy is essential not only for ensuring grid stability but for combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions, aligning with the country’s environmental goals. The transition to sustainable energy significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the power sector, offering a sustainable solution for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. Dynamic simulations were conducted for the isolated Tunisian system, separate from the interconnected grid, focusing on the critical scenario of the loss of a large electricity production unit. This study also examined the absence of sustainable energy integration and the effects of integration of different rates of renewable energy to evaluate the impact of reserves on the continuity of the Tunisian electrical service. Simulation results, which considered a 2023 grid model, show that with an integration trial of 20% renewable energy and, in the worst-case scenario, which represents the loss of the largest production group in the grid, the primary reserve of a given group—defined by the quantity of active energy—can be rapidly deployed to restore the balance between electricity supply and demand. Thus, reserves are a crucial solution for maintaining frequency within reasonable limits and ensuring the continuity of electrical services in Tunisia with varying rates from 10% to 20% integration of different sustainable energy sources. Full article

Product Service Systems (PSS) integrate technical systems, digital infrastructure, and digital and physical services to deliver value to customers in a comprehensive way throughout the life cycle of the PSS. While the potential benefits of PSSs, such as economic efficiency and sustainability, are well-recognized, their implementation and evaluation are often hindered by significant complexities and uncertainties, particularly in the early concept phase. This paper introduces a graph-based reasoning approach that enables the evaluation of PSS concepts despite vague and uncertain understanding. By defining key characteristics in the value creation process qualitatively in distinct and probabilistic states, the graph model makes the concept executable and allows for transparent evaluation. The approach actively considers knowledge gaps and variations in the PSS concept, offering insight into how uncertainties and alternative configurations impact system performance. A case study of a PSS for metal powder recycling in additive manufacturing is conducted to validate the method, demonstrating its applicability for PSS concept evaluation. Full article

Growing competition, changing customer needs, and growing environmental protection requirements mean companies are forced to change their approach to business. Traditional product sales are being replaced by systemic solutions focused on meeting specific customer requirements while reducing negative impacts on the environment. One such solution is the Product-Service System (PSS). This allows manufacturers to offer their products’ functionalities and features through related services. By extending the life of products, promoting the reuse of materials, and reducing the amount of waste, the implementation of PSS strongly supports sustainable development. The paper focuses on a new product group—garage boxes (GB). It discusses a new PSS business model that responds to the needs of people living in blocks of flats with no tenant storage lockers or rooms in the basement. The new business model sells the function (storing various possessions) and eliminates problems faced by tenants due to the lack of sufficient storage space. It provides customers with high-quality GB for as long as they need them. Customers can pick and choose equipment with additional services depending on their needs. The idea of the model is the outcome of a nationwide study carried out in Poland on a group of 500 residents of blocks of flats and consultations with manufacturers, homeowner associations, wholesale and retail traders, and the financial sector. The study provided us with information and data that provided a comprehensive picture of the problem of the absence of storage lockers or rooms for residents and the needs connected with GB. The results of the conducted research indicate that the developed business model responds to the diverse requirements of residents and supports sustainable solutions. It is an alternative to the lack of a storage unit assigned to each apartment. The business model developed in the paper is highly innovative and comprehensive. This makes it an attractive solution for residents of apartment blocks, and its implementation can significantly reduce the environmental impact. Full article

Today, to properly address circular economy practices, strategic decisions encompassing all the various life cycle stages of products or services have become critically important in the market. However, companies still have difficulties in balancing the technical and environmental requirements of their offerings, and numerous studies outline the need for more research on ecodesign tools to support them in decision-making. To reduce such a research gap, a decision-making framework based on the integrated use of the quality function deployment for the environment (QFDE), analytic hierarchy process (AHP), strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT), and TOWS matrix methods was developed through a case study related to the provision of photovoltaic solar systems for domestic use. The results achieved show that to better enhance the company’s offering of ensuring customer satisfaction and green compliance, a shift towards a product–service system (PSS) approach is required, and practical implementation strategies are suggested. Overall, this study contributes to the environmental research literature by streamlining marketing strategy planning decision-making through a novel QFD-based approach that aligns customer requirements with environmental concerns and improvement options. Thus, it provides both academics and practitioners with a useful framework to better address the implementation of circular economy practices. Full article

Supply chain and logistics management is of tremendous importance for multinational organizations. Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) provide logistics services and smooth logistics operations between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers. This paper uses a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to identify the current trends and future developments of LSPs and the underlying (smart) logistics operations connected to the concept of lifecycle management. An SLR review was conducted to identify relevant research papers in the areas of LSPs and logistics lifecycle management. Out of 288 papers analyzed, 81 were identified as highly appropriate for in-depth analysis. The LSP Lifecycle Model (LSLM) was then developed by combining logistics service characteristics and the lifecycle management concept, including Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Service Lifecycle Management (SLM), and Product Service System (PSS). The LSLM consists of three phases: The Beginning of Life (BOL), the Middle of Life (MOL), and the End of Life (EOL). The LSLM is characterized by three phases, eight criteria, and seventeen sub-criteria. This paper aims to fulfil customer requirements through a product or service in the whole lifecycle of the logistics service provider. The findings further present an adaptable LSLM by focusing on various logistics services and integrating sustainability factors to meet market trends. Logistics cost factors can also be used to evaluate logistics services in the MOL stage. The EOL shows the trend of risk management, evaluation, and decomposition, which is determined by new or re-designed logistics products and services. Full article

This research paper explains how, in the last twenty years, the study and research of product service systems (PSSs) in the automobile sphere has experienced high growth due to its unique approach in enriching customer value and experience, strengthening product competence for both customers and providers, and facilitating improved control and management over the product lifecycle. The review of the literature for the automobile sphere is classified into four categories: (i) numbers of publications per year, (ii) journal-specific publications, (iii) year-wise publications, and (iv) growth of research based on applied techniques. The integration of additional services proves instrumental in improving product design, optimizing operations, and offering innovative new services. Additionally, this paper explains how the product service system (PSS) plays an important role in enriching outcomes from customers, efficiency of the product, and lifecycle management. Its future scope lies in integration and fostering innovative ideas, improved customer service, and performance-based contracts because PSSs can drive long-term relationships, trust, and growth in the industry. The paper emphasizes the importance of user-centered design and innovative business models. The primary objective of this review paper is to provide a comprehensive analysis of product service systems (PSSs) in the automobile industry, focusing on progress, challenges, and opportunities, with the aim of responding to the evolution of consumer behavior through innovative innovations such as digitalization and sustainability integration. Full article

Idea generation is often considered the biggest influence on both the value creation and sustainability of a product–service system. Although several researchers have put forward sustainable innovation tools, there has been limited research into potential tools that can support the ideation stage for future sustainable fashion professionals. In this study, we aim to address this gap by (1) critically examining the management control systems that support the ideation phase and how different types of tools assist sustainability innovation, (2) investigating the potential value of co-creation in the ideation phase, and (3) evaluating a sustainable fashion toolkit designed for use in co-creation workshops. The proposed application of the toolkit was tested with designers, marketers, and entrepreneurs in several co-creation workshops (n = 147) that examined the users’ experiences and the toolkit’s usefulness using task analysis. In-depth interviews with industry professionals and educators were also conducted to identify the key criteria for optimal tool development and use in both industrial and educational contexts. This study contributes at a theoretical level by proposing a sustainable fashion innovation tool that considers management control systems and practical guidelines for tool development and by delineating implications for the future of sustainable fashion education and skills. Full article

This study evaluates the presence of sustainability parameters in the product development process, especially in the early stages of innovation, using the Sustainability Technology Readiness Level (STRL) tool. STRL assesses the initial planning of products or product and service systems (PSS) and suggests possibilities for incorporating sustainable features in the short, medium, and long term based on responses from startups (EBTs). The research was conducted in two ecosystems at different maturity levels: Florianópolis (Brazil), a more mature stage, and Santander (Colombia), which is growing, considering their cultural and social differences. To validate the STRL tool, four out of the eighteen winning startups from the MuEBTe SANTANDER public funding project in Colombia were selected. Characteristics of the two researched ecosystems, their actors, strengths, approaches, and expansion possibilities were identified and compared. The innovation lies in establishing a sustainable baseline when applying the tool by acquiring the front-end characteristic matrix. It was observed that sustainability as a variable has relevance and independence from product design in product planning, allowing for the selection of short, medium, and long-term actions throughout the product’s lifecycle. It was concluded that considering sustainability involves context and vision, resulting in significant choices of materials, processes, and production methods that add value and appreciation for the customer. Full article

Driven by servitization, an increasing number of manufacturing companies are transforming from being a pure product provider to a provider of Product–Service Systems (PSS). PSS offer unique benefits to both providers and customers by combining physical products and intangible services. However, this results in an increase in variety for the provider, which causes an increase in variety-induced complexity and, finally, also in costs. This correlation is proven based on the literature; possible approaches to manage the complexity are presented and the current research gap is addressed. To address the gap, a method for the development of modular architectures for PSS is presented in this paper. The method comprises five phases and supports companies from identifying PSS-based business models up to modularizing product components and service components. To validate this method, it is first applied to the example of a product family of pressure-reducing valves and then its results are discussed afterwards. It is proven that this method is suitable for the development of modular PSS architectures, but there is also a need for further research, which is described in the Conclusions section. Full article

With the continuous development of information and communication technology, the development of smart product service systems (smart PSS) has become a crucial approach for enterprises to establish a competitive advantage. However, there is still a lack of clarity regarding the impact process of smart PSS on competitive advantage. This paper aims to explore the impact mechanism of smart PSS on competitive advantage from the perspective of value creation, using an intelligent connected vehicle supplier as a case study. The findings reveal that the composition of smart PSS, including smart technology, smart products, and smart services, influences competitive advantage through the value creation process, which involves relationship construction, relationship operation, and value release. Under the smart PSS environment, changes occur in subject relationships, resources, and key elements. In the context of smart PSS, deep cooperation between enterprises and partners focuses on ecological advantages, while general cooperation emphasizes benefit advantages. This research provides valuable insights into the impact of smart PSS composition on competitive advantage and offers reference values for organizations to establish competitive advantage objectives. Full article

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. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in December 2019 and spread globally, has triggered numerous studies examining its profound effects on societies and economies. This paper investigates the impact of the pandemic crisis on people’s environmental awareness and sustainable consumption in the Italian market and tests several hypotheses related to this impact on the performance of green start-ups. Hypothesis 1 suggests that COVID-19 has increased environmental awareness, positively influencing green consumption behavior. Hypothesis 1bis focuses on businesses selling green products, proposing that they benefited from COVID-19. Hypothesis 2 posits that COVID-19 had a positive impact on online sales, while Hypothesis 3 suggests it damaged businesses based on a product-oriented PSS (Product-Service Systems). The study centers around a mixed method: a and an in-depth interview (qualitative research) with one of VAIA’s founders-a green Italian start-up taken as a case study for this research and quantitative research on the Italian consumers, carried out through an internet-based questionnaire with 706 participants Findings reveal significant shifts in environmental awareness and sustainable consumption patterns due to the pandemic: participants reported heightened awareness of environmental issues and an increased inclination toward sustainable consumption, influenced by reflections on human health-environment interdependence, lockdown-induced lifestyle changes, and a collective sense of responsibility. The study demonstrates as well that a green start-up can experience positive outcomes during the pandemic: this elicits insights that can inform businesses, policymakers, and practitioners in the sustainability sector, enabling them to adapt and capitalize on emerging consumer preferences. Full article

The travel-goods industry is an essential part of the larger travel and tourism sector, but it allegedly creates significant environmental impacts due to resource and energy consumption. This study investigates the potential of the product-service system (PSS) models to promote the transition to a sustainable travel industry in the future. It explores the drivers and barriers to PSS adoption within the luggage industry from a theoretical perspective and identifies opportunities for value creation using both consumer and luggage industry viewpoints. Four hypothetical PSS models are developed to highlight different pathways to PSS adoption, underpinned with empirical data collected via a consumer survey and semi-structured interviews with industry experts. Even though the analysis revealed shifting consumer attitudes towards servitisation concepts within the travel-goods market, at present, the widespread adoption of PSS is hindered by the fragmented nature of global supply chains and entrenched ownership values. Addressing supply chain issues in a way that empowers end-of-life systems to sustainably manage products beyond their functional obsolescence is critical. In parallel, product-oriented PSS models are more likely to increase, driven by a burgeoning resale market and supported by digital technologies, which in turn can lead to greater prospects for use-oriented PSS adoption in the long-term that would eventually promote sustainability. Full article

The development of product-service systems (PSSs) has become one of the most prominent ways in which to promote a circular and resource-efficient economy. These systems shift the focus from selling products as commodities to offering solutions that fulfil customers’ needs and provide added value. PSSs have gained attention due to their potential to foster sustainability, particularly in the context of the circular economy and resource efficiency. This review article analyzes the literature on PSSs for the period of 2016–2022, aiming to explore the links between PSSs, sustainability, circular economy, and resource efficiency. Close to 160 relevant articles were identified and examined. The overall findings reinforce contributions from previous studies, which denote a tendency towards sector-specific studies, barriers, and stimuli to implementation and adoption, and PSS design methodologies in specific industries and sectors. The overall results show a steady growth of PSS literature, as well as consistency in its definition, despite variations according to the perspective from which the topic is analyzed. This study focuses on eight main trends in PSS research, along with eight challenges that arise in its design, implementation, and adoption, identifying avenues for future research. Full article