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Product-Service System Innovation: A Promising Approach to Sustainability

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Sustainable Product-Service Systems

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology ((BRIEFSPOLIMI))

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the Product-Service Systems (PSS) field. It introduces the PSS concept, describes its potential benefits (in terms of economic, environmental and socio-ethical sustainability), and its main drivers and barriers. The PSS concept represents a promising economic model to decouple economic value from material and energy consumption. However, the adoption of sustainable PSSs by industry is still very limited. The reason is that this kind of innovations can be considered, in most of the cases, radical ones, because they challenge existing customer habits, organisational structures and regulative frameworks. Therefore, the challenge is not only to conceive sustainable PSS concepts (several methods and tools can in fact be used to support this task), but also to understand which strategies and development pathways are the most appropriate to favour their introduction and scaling up.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The concept of functional economy was elaborated by Stahel. See: Stahel (1994, 1997a, b, 1998, 2001); Stahel et al. (2000), and Giarini and Stahel (1989/1993).

  2. 2.

    The design of these products should take in consideration Life Cycle Design (or Eco Design) criteria and guidelines. See Vezzoli and Manzini (2008), and Vezzoli et al. (2009).

  3. 3.

    This happens when PSS providers keep the ownership, or at least retains some responsibility, on the product/s included in the PSS offer.

  4. 4.

    See for example: Kathalys, method for sustainable product-service innovation (Luiten et al. 2001); DES, Design of eco-efficient services methodology (Brezet et al. 2001); MEPSS, Methodology for Product Service System development (Van Halen et al. 2005); MSDS, Method for System Design for Sustainability (Vezzoli et al. 2009; Vezzoli 2010).

  5. 5.

    SusHouse (Strategies towards the Sustainable Household 1998–2000), ProSecCo (Product-Service Co-design 2002–2004), HiCs (Highly Customerized Solutions 2001–2004), MEPSS (MEthodology for Product Service System development 2002–2005), and SusProNet (Sustainable Product Development Network 2002–2005).

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  1. School of Engineering and Design, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK

    Fabrizio Ceschin

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  1. Fabrizio Ceschin
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Ceschin, F. (2014). Product-Service System Innovation: A Promising Approach to Sustainability. In: Sustainable Product-Service Systems. SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03795-0_2

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