Title: The dynamics of product and process innovations in UK banking

Authors: Bernardo Batiz-Lazo, Kassa Woldesenbet

Addresses: Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK. ' Open University Business School, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK

Abstract: Sustained competitive advantage depends heavily on the ability of organisations to internalise the benefits of innovative activities. While the vital importance of innovation in today|s competitive climate has been widely proclaimed, our understanding of innovative behaviour in service organisations is not yet fully developed. This article documents an interpretative approach (based on archival research and semi-structured interviews) of the main drivers of change in organisational function (process) and access to financial markets (service or product) within UK commercial banking. Research in this article contributes to the understanding of innovation in service organisations. The research explores past and present perceptions of banks| senior managers and management consultants on the factors stimulating and constraining the adoption of new technology in financial intermediaries.

Keywords: UK banking; information technology; product innovation; process innovation; interpretative approach; United Kingdom; competitive advantage; financial services; commercial banks; service innovation; new technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFSM.2006.010120

International Journal of Financial Services Management, 2006 Vol.1 No.4, pp.400 - 421

Published online: 20 Jun 2006 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article