Key Factors for Sustainability along the Lifecycle of Smart Product Service Systems

This paper applies an explorative literature review to analyze the generalizability of the lifecycle of industrial smart Product-Service Systems (PSS), comprising both capital goods and associated services. It investigates the factors influencing sustainability throughout this lifecycle, considering the complexities inherent in such systems. The article discusses whether assessing the sustainability of services versus goods within the PSS framework requires distinct criteria. By analyzing existing lifecycle models and indicator frameworks, the research identifies key dimensions and criteria essential for describing and evaluating economic and environmental sustainability across the lifecycle. Key questions addressed include the identification of dimensions and criteria crucial for sustainability assessment, considering the complexities and uncertainties inherent in the lifecycle of capital goods. The findings provide a first step towards a framework for measuring and improving sustainability within our context. To better understand the dynamics and uncertainties along the lifecycle, enhanced collaboration between the involved domains is recommended. This could be realized through industrial case studies and comprehensive impact assessments.