Firms' transition to green product service system innovators: cases from the mobility sector Online publication date: Wed, 30-Apr-2014
by Frank Tietze; Tim Schiederig; Cornelius Herstatt
International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM), Vol. 63, No. 1/2, 2013
Abstract: This paper explores different transition paths firms can take to become product service system (PSS) innovators. Applying the dynamic capability theory, we study how three firms, respectively, a product innovator, a service innovator and a new venture, have developed PSS innovations in the mobility sector (car2go by Daimler AG, Hertz on Demand by The Hertz Corporation and Better Place). Based on semi-structured qualitative interviews with project managers, we propose a framework that incorporates three major transition paths. We derive propositions for a necessary capability set and the sequence of necessary capabilities along the innovation process. Our results indicate that the capabilities for developing and operating the technical network infrastructure are particularly relevant for successful PSS innovators, wherefore those firms should internalise these. Moreover, we discuss different types of environmental gains that can be realised from PSS innovations.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook