Product-service Systems as a Promising Approach to Sustainability: Exploring the Sustainable Aspects of a PSS in Brazil

Abstract

Product-Service Systems (PSS) represent a business proposition with potential to provide a wide range of economic, environmental, and social benefits, allowing achieving the sustainability. However, PSS does not necessarily lead to sustainable solutions and this potential must be assessed in each case. In this sense, the aim of this paper is to investigate sustainable aspects of a 'result oriented PSS' (a reverse osmosis water filter system) available in Brazil and compares it with the conventional product, the bottled water. Some aspects from the literature, mentioned as important in each sustainability dimension, were selected to analyze the PSS under study. A qualitative analysis was performed and demonstrates that in comparison with bottled water, the water filter PSS is competitive, satisfy customer needs, and has a relatively lower environmental impact. However, besides conceiving sustainable solutions, is necessary to identify which factors drive the implementation and diffusion of PSS. Some findings of this study suggest that the effects caused by unexpected consumer behavior and incorrect PSS application may compromise PSS sustainable performance during operational phase. An analysis of these effects during transition process is essential to successful sustainable strategies. The study aimed to contribute to the PSS empirical knowledge and to assist building a theoretical basis regarding PSS and sustainability.

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“…This statement is corroborated by other authors (Reigado et al 2017;D'Agostin et al 2020). Sousa and Miguel (2015) and Catulli et al (2017) argue that PSS represents a promising business model in the search for sustainable development, with advantages for all stakeholders. Yang and Evans (2019) points out that for many companies PSS offers differentiation possibilities and provides higher profit margins compared to product sales.…”

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“…This business strategy recognizes the value of utilization while the consumers pay for using product's functions, and not for its ownership [13,14]. Heinrichs (2013) refers to Botsman and Rogers (2011), and puts PSS among the from the definition of this term and provide both a definition and a framework in a comprehensive and clear way.…”

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“…This means that the acceptance of the quality offerings of a system will most likely lead to ES. Another very supportive study is that of Sousa and Cauchick-Miguel (2015) who used their study to corroborate that the quality of a system (in this case, a product-service system) can be used to achieve economic sustainability by generating economic gains to the concerned stakeholders. In other words, a quality PSS relates positively to ES.…”