Understanding the transition towards sustainable product-service systems for personal mobility. A study of electric vehicle sharing schemes in China’s Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone

Yang, Tiansheng 2023. Understanding the transition towards sustainable product-service systems for personal mobility. A study of electric vehicle sharing schemes in China’s Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Recent research on sustainable city-based mobility has often applied the use of socio-technical transition theory to understand how mobility provision is evolving. Such studies may consider changes evolving from market niches but have tended to overlook the role of individual firms. This study integrates individual firm-level perspectives to study the shift towards more sustainable city-based mobility paradigms using transition theory, by exploring the innovations in business models within the sector. This research aims to understand the transition towards more sustainable product-service systems (i.e., car-sharing services) by service providers of personal mobility in China, by exploring how the business models of electric vehicle-sharing services (EVSS) are influenced by market stakeholders and other factors. This thesis uses a qualitative approach involving a multi-site network-based case study research designed to understand this complex issue. Online interviews were employed, and respondents included ten EVSS provider managers, twenty-six EVSS actual or potential users, ten managers from ‘call-hailing’ service providers and seven policy stakeholders (officers of heads of government departments). This research introduces the concept of a 'business model ecosystem', a network of interdependent business models and technologies from sectors including energy, insurance, and ICT that determine EVSS providers' success. From its findings this thesis presents a conceptual model integrating transition theory and business model ecosystems in the context of mobility service provision, visualising the multi-layered dynamics involved in EVSS schemes. Beyond offering a holistic view of the EVSS market, this model provides valuable insights to inform strategic planning for a sustainable urban mobility transition. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the interplay among individual firms, stakeholder collaborations, and multi-sector influences, emphasising the role of localised ecosystems and interconnected regimes in driving sustainability transitions. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable urban mobility and offer practical implications for policymakers and EVSS providers.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Business (Including Economics)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Sustainability, transition, mobility, business model, circular economy, innovation
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	8 February 2024
Last Modified:	08 Feb 2024 10:18
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/166171

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