Systemic Service Design — A Practical Guide to Service Innovation in Complex Systems
Systemic Service Design offers a comprehensive introduction to integrating systems theory into service design in order to address the increasingly complex challenges found in today’s social, economic, and technological landscapes. Structured into 14 chapters across theoretical and practical sections, the book presents global case studies and diverse perspectives that demonstrate how systems thinking can expand the scope and impact of service design.
In recent years, service design has evolved rapidly—from focusing on user touchpoints and interactions to becoming a key driver of organizational transformation and a strategic tool for tackling complex societal issues. Yet, when applied to major challenges such as employment, healthcare, and public transportation, traditional service design methods often reveal limitations. This book argues that without a systemic understanding of the underlying structures, service initiatives risk failure and may even generate broader social problems.
Written specifically for service designers, this book provides both theoretical foundations and practical tools to develop deep, scalable, and feasible solutions. Contributors draw from interdisciplinary theories to enrich the service design discourse and extend its applicability to complex systems. With case studies spanning North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, readers gain insights into how systemic thinking is applied successfully across different cultural and operational contexts.
This book is ideal for students and professionals in service design, policy design, and social innovation. It is also a valuable resource for business leaders, public and private sector planners, engineers, and policymakers seeking informed strategies for addressing systemic challenges.
Book Details
Editors: Mari Suoheimo, Peter Jones, Sheng-Hung Lee, Birger Sevaldson