Abstract:
Purpose - In recent years there has been increasing interest in Product Service
Systems (PSS) as a business model for selling integrated product and service
offerings. To date there has been extensive research into the benefits of PSS to
manufacturers and their customers, but there has been limited research into the
effect of PSS on the upstream supply chain. It is this gap that this research
seeks to address. Design/Methodology/Approach - The research uses case based
research which is appropriate for exploratory research of this type. In depth
interviews were conducted with key personnel in a focal firm and two members of
its supply chain and the results were analysed to identify emergent themes.
Findings - The research has identified differences in supplier behaviour
dependent on their role in PSS delivery and their relationship with the PSS
provider. In particular it suggests that for a successful partnership it is
important to align the objectives between PSS provider and suppliers.
Originality/ value - This research provides a detailed investigation into a PSS
supply chain and highlights the complexity of roles and relationships among the
organisations within it. It will be of value to other PSS researchers and
organisations transitioning to the delivery of PSS. Keywords - Product Service
Systems, Servitization, Supply Networks, Relationships, Case Study, Product
Lifecycle
