FACILITATING INDUSTRIAL ADOPTION OF DESIGN METHODS FOR PRODUCT-SERVICE SYSTEMS

In contrast to increasing evidence detailing both economic and environmental advantages of Product-Service Systems (PSS), the number of PSS provided in the market is still limited. Limited adoption in general can in part be linked to a limited implementability of PSS-focused design methods. This paper aims to provide a first account of characteristics intended to support developers of PSS design methods in providing high levels of implementability and usability. Since fields adjacent to PSS design, such as engineering design or eco-design, have experienced similar challenges in method adoption, literature focusing on this was reviewed. The applicability of the challenges found for PSS design methods was subsequently evaluated with a questionnaire among practitioners involved with the trial of a PSS design method over an extended timeframe. In order to tackle the challenges identified, beneficial properties found in the literature on PSS design methods were utilized in order to derive six characteristics. These are intended as a first orientation for developers aiming to facilitate a broad adoption and use of PSS design methods, and as a discussion basis in the research community.