Evaluating the implementation of product-service-system business models in the manufacturing industry: a case study of a Finnish bicycle manufacturer

Abstract

Supply chain shortages, growingly complex products, and greater awareness of sustainability have pushed manufacturing businesses to look for innovative solu- tions to extract greater value from their products while providing a win-win situa- tion for consumers through additional value in product-service-systems (PSS). This represents the foundation for this planned thesis that is examining the case of a Finnish bicycle manufacturer that wishes to explore a new business model. The the- sis aims to first discover the different types of PSS described in multiple streams of current academic literature and the challenges linked to implementing them. This initial sighting of the literature is then used to understand the challenge of business model integration of three potential but distinct PSS business models in the context of the case company using interviews with the company’s heads of departments. Afterwards, the interview data is contextualised through rigorous examination of the literature in order to obtain specific guidance on potential challenges. Here, a particular focus lies on identifying, whether the organisation can support the pro- posed integration of the business model, how it can be integrated, which barriers may exist, and what implications may be for similar businesses.