Systematic Literature Review—Effects of PSS on Sustainability Based on Use Case Assessments

Abstract

Product-service systems (PSS) are often presented as an inherently sustainable business model. The argumentation is often based on theoretical considerations, which cite circular economy (CE) characteristics in PSS business models as an explanation. In this paper we examined to what extent positive and negative sustainability effects of PSS could actually be observed, based on use cases. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic literature review and analyzed the statements on sustainability effects based on the triple bottom line approach. We find that positive sustainability effects, especially on the environmental sustainability of PSS, are described disproportionately often, which may be indicating a possible publication bias. In addition, the methods used to derive statements on sustainability effects are very heterogeneous and often unsystematic, making it difficult to compare the described effects. Furthermore, we were able to identify drivers that are particularly often considered in literature to be responsible for sustainability effects. As a result, we were able to derive direct implications for future research in the field of sustainability assessment of PSS.

Sustainable Business Model Innovation: An Umbrella Review

“…Sustainable innovation in key activities can be targeted at the firm's operations, maintenance or product design and development [48]. Examples include industry symbiosis [49], closed resource loops, slow resource flows [50], reverse logistics [48] and predictive, corrective and preventive maintenance [51]. Resource innovations include the use of renewable [52] and smart inputs [53].…”

“…Life cycle management capabilities enable organisations to regenerate value, extend product life cycles, improve efficiency and minimise the risk of operations and maintenance failures [51]. Related capabilities include the ability to foster the creation and/or take advantage of industry symbiosis [49], the design and implementation of closed resource loops [50], reverse logistics [48] and smart maintenance [53].…”

“…In terms of social outcomes, some manifestations of sustainable business models have been found to improve people's quality of life by facilitating access to goods and services that they would otherwise be unable to access [80]. Community development emerged as another social outcome in instances where sustainable business model innovation fosters entrepreneurship [80], education [74], equality [51] and new employment opportunities [54] in the local community.…”

Case Study Research to Foster the Optimization of Supply Chain Management through the PSS Approach

“…Along with its expansion, a large number of studies regarding PSS have emerged [16,17]; usually, its implementation processes are described at a high level of design structure [18], while the interwoven steps involved in each stage of the practical implementation processes remain undetailed [19][20][21].…”

Requirements for a Product Lifecycle Management System Using Internet of Things and Big Data Analytics for Product-as-a-Service

“…Thereby, PaaS providers have incentives so that more products are reused, repaired and remanufactured, and thus new components/parts are often included in a product already in use. Therefore, according to a review (Tukker, 2015), they were heralded to be among the most effective instrument for transforming societies to a circular economy (CE) (Stahel, 2016) and improving environmental performance (Blüher et al, 2020). To exploit these potentials with PaaS, the provider needs to prepare for more complex product lifecycles (Umeda et al, 2012) than with the traditional "make-sell-use-dispose" linear model.…”