A Concept Generation Support System for Product-Service System Development

A product-service system (PSS) is a novel type of business model that integrates products and services in a single system. It provides a strategic alternative to product-oriented economic growth and price-based competition in the global market. This research proposes a methodology to support the generation of innovative PSS concepts, called the PSS concept generation support system. The models and strategies of 118 existing PSS cases were analyzed, and the insights extracted were used to develop the methodology. The methodology consists of various tools and a systematic procedure to support the generation process. It is generic enough to be applied to a variety of PSS contexts. The methodology is demonstrated and verified via case studies on the washing machine and refrigerator industries. The proposed PSS concept generation support system can serve as an efficient and effective aid to PSS designers for new PSS development.