Business models towards SDGs: the barriers for operationalizing Product-Service System (PSS) in Brazil

ABSTRACT

Sustainable development requires the creation and development of new business models. Sharing economy will maximize the use of a product by several people, while it enables the reduction of natural resource consumption. In this sense, Product-Service Systems (PSS) can greatly contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, published by the United Nations. In this context, the present study aims to analyse the barriers associated with the operationalization of PSS business models in Brazil. Nineteen barriers listed in the literature supported a questionnaire used in a survey of Brazilian researchers. Data analysis was performed through Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, descriptive statistics and TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution). TOPSIS is used for comparative ordering of barriers in terms of intensity. The results showed that there are many barriers observed in the Brazilian scenario for the operationalization of PSS; those related to the resistance to change to the mentioned business models and the lack of necessary skills to manage them stood out. These findings can be used to enhance the debates about PSS in the Brazilian context.

KEYWORDS:

• Product-Service System
• sustainability
• barriers
• Brazil

U.N. Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure
• SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, ISR, upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) under Grants [307536/2018-1, 305442/2018-0]; and by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001, under process [88887.464433/2019-00].