Short answer

When designing smart product-service systems, explicitly map out the intended causal pathways from your design features to specific sustainability outcomes, and consider potential unintended consequences.

Field: Sustainability
Source: Journal of Business Economics (2023)
Method: Systematic Literature Review and Framework Development
Evidence: Moderate effect

Designing smart product-service systems (PSS) requires a structured approach to ensure they genuinely contribute to sustainability by understanding the causal links between design choices and ultimate impact. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Journal of Business Economics. Using Systematic literature review and framework development, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing smart product-service systems, explicitly map out the intended causal pathways from your design features to specific sustainability outcomes, and consider potential unintended consequences.

Study

SustainabilityRecentModerate effect

Sustainable Smart PSS: A Causal Logic Framework for Impact Design

Journal of Business Economics · 2023

Key Findings

01A three-step causal logic framework (design, causation, impact) is essential for understanding sustainable smart PSS.
0217 specific mechanisms (information, resource, empowerment, adverse) link design choices to sustainability impacts in smart PSS.
03The concept of 'multi-causal pathway' acknowledges the non-linear and complex nature of sustainability impacts.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

Use the identified mechanisms and the causal logic framework to map out the potential sustainability impacts of a new smart PSS design, and use the morphological box to explore different combinations of mechanisms.

Project actions

01When designing a smart product-service system, think about the 'why' behind your design decisions in terms of sustainability.
02Consider how information, resources, and user empowerment can be leveraged through your design to achieve positive impacts.

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop a causal logic framework for designing sustainable smart product-service systems (PSS) that effectively links design characteristics to measurable sustainability impacts.

MethodSystematic Literature Review and Framework Development

ProcedureThe researchers developed a three-step causal logic framework (design, causation, impact) and identified business model properties as design characteristics and impacts based on the triple bottom line. They then conducted a systematic literature review of 63 publications to identify 17 specific mechanisms linking design and impact, categorizing them into information, resource, empowerment, and adverse mechanisms. A morphological box was developed as a toolkit for managers.

ContextProduct-Service Systems (PSS), Smart Technologies, Sustainability

Variables

IVDesign characteristics of smart PSS (e.g., business model properties, technological features)

DVSustainability impacts (environmental, social, economic)

CVMechanisms linking design to impact (information, resource, empowerment, adverse)

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a structured, theory-based approach to impact design for smart PSS.
+Identifies specific mechanisms that can guide design decisions.

Limitations

It can be challenging to empirically prove the causal links in a limited design project. Focus on clearly articulating the *intended* causal pathways and the rationale behind them.

Reliability & validity

The systematic literature review aims to enhance the reliability of identified mechanisms. Validity is addressed through the conceptual framework's logical coherence and its grounding in established theories like the theory of change.

Think critically

How can the 'adverse mechanisms' identified in this research be proactively designed out of smart PSS, rather than just mitigated?

Design Principles

"Design for demonstrable sustainability impact by clearly articulating and validating the causal logic between system design and desired outcomes."

This research provides a framework for designers and businesses to move beyond simply adopting 'smart' technologies and instead intentionally design for positive environmental and social outcomes. It highlights that technological advancement alone doesn't guarantee sustainability, emphasizing the need for a deliberate causal logic in PSS development.

What This Means for Your Design

To make smart products and services truly good for the planet and people, you need to plan how your design choices will actually lead to those good results, like a chain reaction.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this framework to justify design choices aimed at specific sustainability outcomes, explaining the intended causal pathways.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The development of sustainable smart product-service systems requires a deliberate approach to impact design, as outlined by Ries et al. (2023). Their causal logic framework, encompassing design, causation, and impact, emphasizes the need to explicitly map how design characteristics translate into tangible environmental and social benefits. By identifying key mechanisms such as information, resource, and empowerment pathways, designers can proactively engineer systems that foster desired sustainability effects while mitigating adverse outcomes, moving beyond mere technological adoption to intentional impact creation.

Source

Journal of Business Economics

Sustainable smart product-service systems: a causal logic framework for impact design

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about sustainable smart pss: a causal logic framework for impact design?: When designing smart product-service systems, explicitly map out the intended causal pathways from your design features to specific sustainability outcomes, and consider potential unintended consequences. Evidence: Journal of Business Economics (2023).
Why does "Sustainable Smart PSS: A Causal Logic Framework for Impact Design" matter for design?: This research provides a framework for designers and businesses to move beyond simply adopting 'smart' technologies and instead intentionally design for positive environmental and social outcomes. It highlights that technological advancement alone doesn't guarantee sustainability, emphasizing the need for a deliberate causal logic in PSS development.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing smart product-service systems, explicitly map out the intended causal pathways from your design features to specific sustainability outcomes, and consider potential unintended consequences.
What were the main findings?: A three-step causal logic framework (design, causation, impact) is essential for understanding sustainable smart PSS.. 17 specific mechanisms (information, resource, empowerment, adverse) link design choices to sustainability impacts in smart PSS.. The concept of 'multi-causal pathway' acknowledges the non-linear and complex nature of sustainability impacts.
What research method was used?: Systematic Literature Review and Framework Development.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Journal of Business Economics.
What should I do differently in my next project?: Use the identified mechanisms and the causal logic framework to map out the potential sustainability impacts of a new smart PSS design, and use the morphological box to explore different combinations of mechanisms.
What are the limitations?: The framework is conceptual and relies on existing literature; empirical validation of the identified mechanisms in diverse contexts may be needed. The 'adverse mechanisms' require careful consideration to ensure they are minimized or mitigated.