Knowledge Transfer Prolonging Product Life: An Innovative Business Model

This case study demonstrates how knowledge transfer between donors of maintenance knowledge and knowledge recipients (end-users needing knowledge about maintenance) is enabled by a knowledge facilitating company by structuring knowledge into when, how, materials, and why. When provides knowledge on timing, how provides knowledge about the task presented in sequential steps, materials provide knowledge on tools and consumables, and why provides broader knowledge about how a product or machine works. Knowledge transfer extends product life by engaging end-users in maintenance demonstrating how knowledge enables circular economy. The knowledge facilitator connects knowledge from donor with the knowledge recipient to overcome their asymmetric relationship. As a start-up the case company demonstrates potentials for circular business model innovation for existing companies.