Developing complex product-service systems: an interdisciplinary approach

This paper explores how the sustainable design discipline (SDD) and responsible project management (RPM) can frame the development of complex product-service systems (C.PSS) that address wicked and emergency problems (such as responding to Climate Change and COVID-19). Increasing literature strongly suggests that the smart development and integration of C.PSS will impact the healthy development of urban society and economy and contribute to emergency projects. We argue that there is an urgent need to combine an engineering-based design process and the project management approach to fulfil the UN SDGs. In this paper, we focus on building a conceptual understanding of SDD and RPM and theoretic explanations between these two fundamental elements. We then demonstrate the interdisciplinary link of sustainable design and responsible innovation to the characteristics of C.PSS. This paper paves the way for further research on providing sustainable design framework and project implementation guidance for policymakers, entrepreneurs, project managers and designers of C.PSS.