Product-service systems evolution in the era of Industry 4.0

Recent economic transformations have forced companies to redefine their value propositions, increasing traditional product offerings with supplementary services-the so-called Product-Service System (PSS). Among them, the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies is very common. However, the directions that companies are undertaking to offer new value to their customers in the Industry 4.0 have not yet been investigated in detail. Based on a focus group, this paper contributes to this understanding by identifying the main trajectories that would shape a future scenario in which PSS and Industry 4.0 would merge. In addition, future research directions addressing (a) the transformation of the PSS value chain into a PSS ecosystem, (b) the transformation inside a single company towards becoming a PSS provider, and (c) the digital transformation of the traditional PSS business model are identified.

Automated summary

Recent economic changes have led companies to enhance traditional products with additional value services, known as PSS. The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies is widespread, but the specific directions that companies are taking to provide new value to customers in this area have not yet been thoroughly explored.