DESIGN FOR UTILITY, SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIETAL VIRTUES: Developing Product Service Systems

Abstract

This paper focuses on Product Service System (PSS) development as a promising approach for sustainable product development. We attempt here to identify the nature of such a multiple definition of PSS, the link to proper understanding of value & utility and innovative approaches for PSS development. We expand on the phenomenon of PSS, in the belief that a proper understanding will give us the design degrees of freedom necessary to create radical innovation. We draw upon existing product development and PSS theory & models and experiences from projects carried out with both industrialists and students. We demonstrate a series of important arguments in the paper that support PSS consideration in industry.