Dynamic and multidimensional measurement of product-service system (PSS) sustainability: a triple bottom line (TBL)-based system dynamics approach

Abstract

Despite the noteworthy changes towards product-service system (PSS) as a sustainable solution, a systematic methodology to measure sustainability is surprisingly sparse. Previous literature in measuring sustainability still remains no more than static and fragmentary, which cannot fully incorporate the characteristics of PSS: a 'dynamic' system which includes various actors and a large, complex system with 'multidimensional' impacts. To support the dynamic and multidimensional characteristics of PSS, we employ system dynamics (SD) to cover the dynamics, and triple bottom line (TBL) to encompass the multidimensionality of PSS sustainability, respectively. To illustrate the working of proposed approach, the case study of a public bicycle system is presented. The proposed approach is expected to effectively measure PSS sustainability through a comprehensive view. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.