A prelude for PSS
This research paper describes the transition to integrate products and services into systems and contributes to a broader understanding of the research field PSS design as an emerging area and phenomenon. Ensuing a synthesis approach, we outline different organizational drivers that emerge from the transition toward PSS as innovation strategy. Based on five in-depth interviews with experts that have specific knowledge and involvement in PSS design projects, the paper confronts a previous literature review with its practical counterpart. Findings clarify the definition, related terminology and context of PSS, but also advocate a future effort to appropriately support an operational integration of product and service side. Additionally, we observe an obvious evolution of value creation - through a focus on the (user) experience - as part of the rise of the product service system itself, an essential insight that can contribute in various ways to current PSS practices.