A Network-Based Modularization Approach for Sustainable Smart PSS

Following the elicitation of Smart Product-Service Systems (Smart PSS) design requirements, the next crucial step in developing collaborative solutions and corresponding supplier selection strategies is the systematic identification of Smart PSS components and their modular organization. Component identification provides the foundation for constructing functional units that deliver integrated product-service value and align with sustainability objectives across the supply chain. In this chapter, we introduce methodologies for identifying and classifying Smart PSS components, highlighting techniques that capture the diverse features of both tangible products and intangible services. We emphasize the role of component networking based on co-occurrence relationships, which enables the recognition of interdependencies among components, thereby revealing opportunities for synergistic design. Building upon this, we present an advanced modularization method that groups related components into cohesive modules. This approach improves design efficiency and adaptability and enhances sustainability by supporting resource optimization, facilitating supplier integration, and enabling circular value creation. This chapter illustrates how Smart PSS can be structured to balance performance, cost efficiency, and long-term environmental and social impacts by embedding sustainability criteria into the modularization process. The discussion provides theoretical insights and practical techniques for configuring Smart PSS modules, setting the stage for supplier selection and collaborative solution design in subsequent sections.