Towards a design science-driven product-service system engineering methodology

Abstract

Customers are increasingly demanding integrated solutions so that Product-Service Systems (PSS) have been proliferated in the global economy. The resulting PSS effects of utilization are of versatile nature for both suppliers and demanders. Especially the field service is characterized by the integrated provision of product and service wherefore service technicians need support by mobile information systems (IS). Although different PSS Engineering methods exist, a fundamental base, including the triple of Product, Service and the support through IS, is needed for the conceptual development of PSS. Therefore, within the Design Science Research (DSR) field established concepts are inspected for their applicability in the PSS Engineering process. Goal of this contribution is to extend the scope of information systems in order to derive a methodology which enables a design science oriented development of IS as an essential part of PSS. © 2014 Springer International Publishing.