Product-Service System Design for Sustainability

A state-of-the-art examination of the theory and practice of system innovation, through Product Service System (PSS) design for sustainability from a trans-cultural viewpoint. Based on a European and Asian research project, it provides case studies, background, advice and tools for designers interested in sustainable PSSs.

* State-of-the-art examination of the theory and practice of system innovation
* Introduces the concept of PSS innovation and outlines the characteristics
* Examines a wide range of potential research directions on sustainable PSS design
* Valuable resource for design students, teachers and practicing designers

This book is a state-of-the-art examination of the theory and practice of system innovation through Product-Service System (PSS) design for sustainability from a trans-cultural viewpoint. PSS design incorporates innovative strategies that shift businesses away from designing and selling physical products to developing integrated systems of products and services. The book provides background, advice and tools for designers and design students interested in sustainable PSSs and has a wealth of case studies for practitioners to digest. The first part of the book introduces the concept of PSS innovation, outlining the characteristics and features of such innovation, how different types of PSS can be classified, and which are the related benefits, drivers and barriers. It argues that such innovation has the capability to potentially bring radical reductions in the current levels of resource consumption, without minimizing consumer levels of satisfaction.

The second part of the book examines a wide range of potential research directions on sustainable PSS design including:

• Sustainable PSS in different socio-economic contexts (industrialized, emerging and low income)
• Sustainable PSS in different organizational bodies (companies, public administrations, NGOs)
• Sustainable PSS and consumption patterns
• Sustainable PSS and social innovations
• Sustainable PSS and aesthetics
• Sustainable PSS and distributed economies
• Sustainable PSS and social enterprises
• Sustainable PSS and socio-technical transitions
• Sustainable PSS and the sufficiency economy: combining efficiency with sufficiency

This book is the outcome of the LeNS, the Learning Network on Sustainability, a project funded by the Asia Link Programme, EuropAid, European Commission, for curricula development and teaching diffusion in worldwide design Higher Education Institutions. It is a hugely important teaching resource for undergraduate, graduate and PhD design students, design teachers and practicing designers worldwide.