Title: Service industrialisation and beyond: findings from a service networks project

Authors: Andreina Mandelli

Addresses: SDA Bocconi Via Bocconi, 8 Milan, 20136, Italy

Abstract: This paper illustrates the findings of a project about the impact of digital technology on services. In this paper, we discuss the relevant literature in the service management and business networking fields, and our research findings from: 1) a multi-industry study for a government agency regarding changes in services observed through a 2003 to 2010 research; 2) a multi-case study of business networking in heritage tourism; 3) a case study of business networking in the advertising sector. The findings partially support, in our micro-level research, the service-industrialisation hypothesis developed at the macro (national economy) level, but also highlight important variance within sectors, best explained by a relationship-based approach to service management. Implications for business management and academic research will be discussed.

Keywords: services; service industrialisation; business networks; service networks; network marketing; relationship marketing; ICT; heritage tourism; advertising; fitness centres; market research; service management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEME.2011.041993

International Journal of Engineering Management and Economics, 2011 Vol.2 No.2/3, pp.132 - 152

Published online: 20 Aug 2011 *

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