A framework for assessment and implementation of product-service systems strategies : learning from an action research in the health-care sector
Part of : WSEAS transactions on business and economics ; Vol.6, No.7, 2009, pages 303-319
Issue:
Pages:
303-319
Abstract:
Product-Service Systems (PSS) are new business strategies moving and extending the productvalue towards its functional usage and related required services. From a theoretical point of view the PSSconcept is known since a decade and many Authors reported reasonable possible success factors: higherprofits over the entire life-cycle, diminished environmental burden, and localization of required services.Many researchers reported very interesting experiments in large enterprises, typically specialized in functionalgoods production, while only few researches have been performed for small and medium enterprises (SME).From the flexibility point of view, SMEs seem to be facilitated in approaching a PSS business strategy, thanksto the rapid re-organization of their value-chain/supply-chain (VC/SC), but, on the other hand, requiring astructured, and interrelated approach in order to assess and implement such a strategy.This paper presents the learning from an action research (AR) in the health-care sector. AR has been used inorder to experience a PSS initiative and therefore define, develop, and test a complete framework for assessingand implementing PSS strategies. Reflection on the story in the light of the experience and the theory ispresented, as well as extrapolation to a broader context and articulation of usable knowledge.
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
business strategy, product-service systems, small-medium enterprises, action research, health-care
Notes:
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