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Product-service systems (PSS) are regarded as highly sustainable solutions. However, studies identifying and comparing the sustainable potential of product-service offerings by considering the three sustainability dimensions are still scarce. This paper aims to benchmark and analyse the sustainable potential of a use-oriented PSS, showing the influence of the context of implementation on the sustainable potential of the solutions.

By adopting a competitive benchmarking approach, six bicycle-sharing systems from different countries were selected for analysis. The main sustainability-related aspects in use-oriented PSS (the systems investigated) were identified through a literature review. Multiple secondary sources were used to collect data about the analysed PSS. A qualitative analysis was conducted through triangulation of the sources to identify and compare the systems by considering the selected sustainability aspects.

The main results show that use-oriented PSS provide a range of economic, social, and environmental benefits, confirming the sustainable potential of such solutions. Several similarities between the systems have been identified, along with some differences, especially regarding their integration with other transport systems and the use of renewable energy, which can affect users' acceptance, operation efficacy, and overall sustainable potential of the solutions.

This study identifies best practices that can be considered by other bike-sharing businesses to improve their sustainability potential.

This study identifies and explores the sustainable potential of bicycle-sharing solutions using a benchmark approach. It augments existing empirical knowledge on sustainable PSS and business models by revealing best practices, including the context that may enhance the sustainability potential of the solutions regarding environmental, economic, and social benefits.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the use of quality function deployment (QFD) may contribute to developing innovative products. Its point of departure is the author's earlier research that investigated the application of QFD to product development in companies operating in Brazil.

A case study approach with companies from different industries is employed in this paper. A questionnaire was used to gather data from four companies by checking some aspects of QFD projects with regard to innovation. Typical QFD projects with respect to product typology (platform or derivative) and their level of complexity are also analysed.

The main results indicated that QFD may assist in developing innovative products, but is limited to additions to existing lines, product repositioning, and product improvement.

One constraint was the limited number of companies and projects analysed so that replications among other samples are needed to validate current findings.

Although QFD is extensively explored in the literature, this paper is one of the few published studies that report and discuss the relationship between QFD and innovation.

Since the importance of implementing portfolio management is growing world‐wide, this paper seeks to report on case‐based research on portfolio management in a company that implemented it along with a new product development process.

This paper uses a case study approach conducted in a manufacturing company in Brazil. Data were gathered through participation in portfolio meetings, non‐structured interviews, and document analysis; results were aggregated a posteriori to construct the case.

The paper finds that portfolio management was implemented using a framework which employed a scoring system and qualitative information. The empirical evidence lends support to the existence of portfolio management practices as identified in the literature. In addition, the use of the proposed framework assisted the company in putting in place a methodology to select the right projects and to allocate both capital and personnel resources.

The paper is limited to a single case study. Replications among other samples are needed to validate current findings.

This paper is one of the few published studies that report on and discuss the implementation of portfolio management in a country in South America.

Six Sigma program is an approach currently adopted by many companies, which involves a highly disciplined and guided process, in which applications of many different tools and techniques aim at generating a cycle of continuous improvement. In this sense, a survey‐based research was conducted in a developing country from which the aim of this paper is to identify and analyse the tools and techniques used in the stages of the DMAIC.

The paper presents parts of the results of a descriptive survey conducted by a postal questionnaire answered by more than 60 Six Sigma users. Specific results of tools and techniques applied in Six Sigma are compared with those prescribed in the literature.

The results confirm the use of Six Sigma tools and techniques suggested by the literature. It also points out that Six Sigma needs to be supported by measurable and reliable data, and thus that the use of tools and techniques is indispensable to the use of the DMAIC.

This is not a probabilistic survey and, therefore, the generalisation is not feasible.

The paper may assist either academic and practitioners when teaching, researching and applying tools and techniques in Six Sigma.

This paper is one of the few published studies that report tools and techniques applied in Six Sigma programme in developing countries.

Effectively managing risk is an essential element of successful project management. In this sense, the present study seeks to propose a systematisation of technical risk management through the use of FMEA to optimise the decision making process in new product development (NPD).

The methodological approach adopted in this paper is a case study at an automaker in Brazil. Data were gathered from various sources, mostly participant observation and document analysis of two important NPD programmes. The risk management system was described and its influence on programs development analysed.

Results included a reduction in the number of project and test planning loopings as well as a reduced number of prototypes needed to approve product components. In addition, there was a positive influence on the product development decision‐making process, evidenced by better allocation of resources among projects at the programme.

The study is limited to a single case study which considers two major NPD programmes. Replications among other units of analysis are needed to further validate current findings.

This paper is one of the few published studies that report and discuss the FMEA within a broad context of risk analysis.

The paper reports case studies conducted in services organizations that apply Six Sigma in an emerging economy. Aspects of human resources and full-time specialist, infra-structure, top management leadership, customer requirements, focus on financial and non-financial results, structured method and strategic project selection are investigated. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Case-based research is employed as methodological approach. Data were mostly gathered through semi-structured interviews with managers involved with Six Sigma implementation. When available, archival data were also used to achieve more evidence towards triangulation. Then, the aggregation of the results was done a posteriori.

It was verified that Six Sigma was successfully implemented in those companies, however with some drawbacks. The studied companies adopt Six Sigma in association with other quality management approaches, mainly ISO 9000: 2008 and lean production.

The study was limited to three service companies. Therefore, the study findings are not subject to generalisation for other similar firms.

The research shows the importance of Six Sigma implementation in service companies in addition to its contribution to practical application by identifying the relevant aspects of its introduction. It enables practitioners to use the findings on factors that should be taken into consideration when applying Six Sigma.

It is one of the few studies on Six Sigma analysis in emerging economies. In addition, the empirical results found support in existing theory to some extent.

The purpose of this paper is to report case studies conducted in a company in Italy that produces packaging systems, in comparison with a Brazilian company within a similar industrial sector. The paper compares those two cases in terms of quality function deployment (QFD) usage and discusses the lessons learned from the cases.

Case‐based research was employed. Data were mostly gathered through semi‐structured interviews with engineers and managers involved with product development. Direct observation and archival data were also used to extract more evidence towards triangulation. Then, the aggregation of results was done a posteriori.

QFD implementation process was found to be similar in both companies but with some differences in terms of managerial aspects of product development, e.g. gathering the voice of customer and a more extensive use of other matrices besides the “house of quality”.

The study was limited in two companies. Although one of the purposes was to analyse if there are contextual differences between those two cases, this study was unable of verifying the context of QFD application. In addition, the study findings are not generalisable to other similar plants.

The research shows the importance of QFD implementation and similarities between the cases, in addition to contributing to application by identifying relevant aspects of its introduction. It enables practitioners to use the findings on factors that should be taken into consideration when applying QFD.

Besides the comparison between two companies, the paper discusses the innovation on QFD projects in one of the companies. In addition, the empirical results found grounding in existing theory to some extent.

Over recent the past decades, integrated management systems (IMS) have emerged as one of the major tasks for practising managers and the academic community. In this context, this paper aims at identifying relevant practices related to an IMS in an organisation that belongs to the sugar cane and ethanol agricultural industrial sector in Brazil.

A review of mainstream literature on IMS is conducted followed by case‐based research used as the methodological approach. Data were gathered through a questionnaire as well as face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews. The analysis was done a posteriori to construct the case description and perform the analysis.

Issues that motivated the IMS implementation were identified. The paper also highlights the difficulties experienced and benefits accrued during implementation. The existence of a previous quality management system facilitated the implementation of the IMS. Nevertheless, a longitudinal study is desirable to assess further results in the long term.

This work is limited to a single unit of analysis. Therefore, empirical replications in other samples are needed to validate current findings.

This is one of the first known studies to investigate the implementation of an IMS in a manufacturing unit that produces sugar and ethanol.

This paper continues the analysis of the data collected in a survey of quality function deployment (QFD) carried out in Brazil, and deepens the study by carrying out interviews at some of the companies which participated in the survey to identify best practices on QFD application.

To analyze the data collected in a survey of QFD and interviews, eight exemplary criteria based on the QFD literature were considered. The paper then presents and discusses best practices in QFD application.

The results of analyzing the interviews showed that there were exemplary aspects in the use of the method and the key points in the QFD implementation that should be considered were related to: support from upper management, carrying out training, creating the team, frequency and length of meetings, and creating a conceptual model, among other aspects.

It is important to stress that the importance of some of these exemplary aspects varies with the type of company and the product developed with QFD, and could be less important for other products and industries.

The results showed that there were key points in the QFD implementation that should be considered depending on type of company and the product.

The key points in the QFD implementation identified in this paper may be useful to QFD users and academics.

The purpose of this paper is to present part of the results from a survey on Six Sigma, more specifically to identify the best practices in the use of the Six Sigma methodology.

Data were collected in an exploratory‐descriptive survey on Six Sigma adoption in companies operating in Brazil. Then, the paper presents and discusses best practices in Six Sigma application.

The results point out relevant aspects related to the professionals involved with the program, the number of projects developed per year, as well as the return on investments made by companies. It is concluded that a good proportion of respondents adopt best practices according to the literature, but the subject needs a more detailed investigation of the financial benefits achieved with its application.

It is important to stress that the importance of some of these exemplary aspects vary with the type of company but, overall, they might be generalised within the sample.

The results show that there are relevant points when applying Six Sigma that should be considered by companies interested in adopting it.

As the application of Six Sigma is relatively recent and there is little data published about its utilisation in a developing country, it is important to expand knowledge on this subject. The best practices identified in this paper may be useful to Six Sigma users and academics.