Interactive Genetic Algorithms in Product-Service Clustering Design: Early Results and Roadmap

Abstract

Service bundling is a well-known practice for companies to gain a competitive edge over others, by offering various differentiated products and services in a package. Unfortunately, currently each of them are typically delivered individually in splendid isolation, *either* as a product *or* as a service. We argue the need to investigate interactive genetic algorithms to shape product-service clusters wherefore recommendation as well as design, development, operation, and verification techniques from both fields can be joined together for cross-fertilization and mutual benefits. This article illustrates the aforementioned vision and evaluates it over early results from preliminary experimentation in the context of a real industrial case-study. Results show promise but also highlight plenty of avenues for further research.