Exploring the nexus of servitization and sustainability: evolution and trends in scientific production

Purpose This study aims to analyze the evolution, trends and future directions of research at the intersection of servitization and sustainability. It seeks to clarify whether servitization contributes to sustainability outcomes and under which conditions this relationship holds. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts a bibliometric and science mapping approach, analyzing publications on servitization and sustainability from the Web of Science database between 2007 and 2025. It combines performance analysis and co-word analysis to identify key themes, research clusters and their evolution over time. Findings The analysis identifies two distinct phases in the evolution of the field. The initial period is characterized by the development of foundational theoretical frameworks and the establishment of key relationships among concepts such as product, design, reverse logistics and transition. In contrast, the second period reflects a shift toward a more applied and practice-oriented focus, where emerging sustainability research increasingly emphasizes implementation processes, impact assessment and the role of servitization in driving sustainable outcomes. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study provides the first comprehensive quantitative examination of the intersection between servitization and sustainability through the use of advanced bibliometric and science mapping techniques. Furthermore, it represents the most extensive and in-depth analysis of the field to date, offering a systematic and longitudinal perspective on its intellectual structure and development.