Consumer acceptance of product–service systems as alternative satisfiers of consumer needs for sustainable development

As an alternative method of production and consumption in the pursuit of a sustainable society, product–service system (PSS) involves consumers in the process of value creation. This study uses an online survey comprising three questionnaires to investigate consumer acceptance of PSSs based on their expectations of the benefits of three types of PSS: product-, use-, and result-oriented. The results indicate that consumers have higher expectations of the process benefits of result-oriented PSSs and outcome benefits of product-oriented PSSs. Furthermore, the results of general linear models indicate that consumers' intentions to purchase PSSs are influenced by expected benefits and consumer innovativeness. High levels of innovativeness among consumers moderate the effects of consumer expectations of outcome benefits on purchase intentions. This result implies that consumers who have lower levels of innovativeness exhibit reluctance to adopt PSSs, although they realize the benefits.