What are the impacts of implementing the Product-Service System within companies? Analysis of the benefits, barriers and construction of a Business Model Canvas.

Details

Supervisors

De Ronge, Yves

Faculty

Louvain School of Management

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences de gestion, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

This work investigates the impact of the Product-Service System (PSS) in companies that have implemented it. PSS is a business model that is considered to contribute to the circular economy. This system has been heavily promoted in recent years and the number of studies on it is increasing. However, there is a gap in the literature regarding the actual consequences of its implementation within a company. Moreover, the practical and effective adoption of this system is still very limited. This thesis provides empirical evidence on the impacts of implementing such a system within a company. Thus, the internal benefits and difficulties that this system brings are analyzed, as well as the characteristics of the business canvas of a company offering a PSS. For this purpose, semi-structured interviews are conducted with 7 participants, all of whom have a major role in a company offering a PSS. The analysis brings practical evidence to the theoretical findings. It validates 11 advantages found in the literature as well as 7 difficulties, and names 4 and 3 new ones respectively. The way in which companies have overcome these barriers is also discussed. A Business Model Canvas is constructed based on the testimonies of the interviewees, which defines the most common features adopted by PSS providers. Based on the results, managerial recommendations are constructed, enabling PSS providers to deliver this system more effectively.