Short answer
Prioritize human resource development and foster a learning culture alongside technological implementation when designing and deploying product-service systems.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- The TQM Journal (2020)
- Method
- Qualitative research combining semi-structured interviews and forum debates.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
As digital technologies advance manufacturing towards product-service systems (PSS), the need for sophisticated human skills and a 'learning organization' becomes paramount for successful adoption and value co-creation. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in The TQM Journal. Using Qualitative research combining semi-structured interviews and forum debates., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize human resource development and foster a learning culture alongside technological implementation when designing and deploying product-service systems.
Digital transformation necessitates advanced human skills for successful Product-Service Systems
As digital technologies advance manufacturing towards product-service systems (PSS), the need for sophisticated human skills and a 'learning organization' becomes paramount for successful adoption and value co-creation.
The TQM Journal · 2020
Key Findings
- 01Social and economic motivations, rather than environmental ones, are primary drivers for PSS adoption.
- 02Digital technologies are key enablers for PSS, but their effectiveness is linked to PSS maturity levels.
- 03High technical readiness for PSS is often hampered by low social investments and underdeveloped human resource strategies.
- 04Value co-creation is a significant challenge, requiring advanced human skills to leverage digital connectivity.
- 05A 'learning organisation' and socio-technical fit are crucial for the diffusion of PSS innovation.
Application
Design takeaway
Prioritize human resource development and foster a learning culture alongside technological implementation when designing and deploying product-service systems.
How to apply
When designing a new product-service system, conduct an assessment of the organization's human resource readiness and implement training programs to bridge skill gaps.
Project actions
- 01Consider the user's or operator's skills and training needs when designing a system that involves new technology.
- 02Think about how your design might require a 'learning organization' approach to be successful.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Employs a socio-technical systems perspective, offering a holistic view.
- +Combines multiple research methods (interviews and debates) for robust findings.
Limitations
The number of companies interviewed was small, and the focus was on manufacturers, so the findings may not apply to all industries.
Reliability & validity
The use of multiple data sources (interviews and forum debates) and triangulation of findings enhances the validity of the research. Reliability would be strengthened by a larger, more diverse sample.
Think critically
To what extent can a 'learning organization' be intentionally designed or fostered, and what are the key design interventions required?
Design Principles
"Socio-technical fit is essential for the successful integration of digital technologies into product-service systems, requiring a balance between technological advancement and human capability development."
This research highlights that while digital tools are enablers for PSS, their effective exploitation hinges on human capital. Designers and engineers must consider the development of advanced human skills and foster organizational structures that support continuous learning to realize the full potential of PSS models.
What This Means for Your Design
When companies try to offer services along with their products using new digital tools, they need to make sure their employees have the right skills and the company culture supports learning, otherwise, the new technology won't work as well.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of human factors and organizational readiness in the implementation of new technologies or service models.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The transition to product-service systems in the digital era necessitates a socio-technical approach, acknowledging that technological advancements must be matched by human skill development and a supportive organizational culture for successful value co-creation and diffusion of innovation.
Source
The TQM Journal
Exploring product–service systems in the digital era: a socio-technical systems perspective
journal · 2020
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about digital transformation necessitates advanced human skills for successful product-service systems?
- Prioritize human resource development and foster a learning culture alongside technological implementation when designing and deploying product-service systems. Evidence: The TQM Journal (2020).
- Why does "Digital transformation necessitates advanced human skills for successful Product-Service Systems" matter for design?
- This research highlights that while digital tools are enablers for PSS, their effective exploitation hinges on human capital. Designers and engineers must consider the development of advanced human skills and foster organizational structures that support continuous learning to realize the full potential of PSS models.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Prioritize human resource development and foster a learning culture alongside technological implementation when designing and deploying product-service systems.
- What were the main findings?
- Social and economic motivations, rather than environmental ones, are primary drivers for PSS adoption.. Digital technologies are key enablers for PSS, but their effectiveness is linked to PSS maturity levels.. High technical readiness for PSS is often hampered by low social investments and underdeveloped human resource strategies.. Value co-creation is a significant challenge, requiring advanced human skills to leverage digital connectivity.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative research combining semi-structured interviews and forum debates..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2020 journal from The TQM Journal.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing a new product-service system, conduct an assessment of the organization's human resource readiness and implement training programs to bridge skill gaps.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on manufacturers, and findings might differ for other sectors. The maturity levels of PSS were derived, not pre-defined.