Title: The servitisation of manufacturing function: empirical case studies

Authors: Yang Cheng; John Johansen

Addresses: Center for Industrial Production, Aalborg University, Fibigerstraede 10, DK-9220, Aalborg, Denmark; School of Business Administration, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, China ' Centre for Industrial Production, Aalborg University, Fibigerstraede 10, DK-9220, Aalborg, Denmark

Abstract: This paper aims to develop better understanding of the servitisation of a manufacturing function by exploring how and why a manufacturing function is servitised in practice. Based on three case studies undertaken in Danish manufacturing companies, this study confirms that not only manufacturing companies but also the manufacturing function can be servitised in practice and further indicates that the ways that the manufacturing function is servitised in practice can be characterised by service object and service content. In addition, this paper suggests that the servitisation of a manufacturing function seems to be more related to the transformation of the competitive environment and can be viewed as the result of (changes in) corporate strategy and/or (accompanying and newly emerging) internal and external demands. The finding of this paper implies a deep shift in manufacturing's role and offers manufacturing managers a broader perspective of manufacturing and its role, both operationally and strategically.

Keywords: servitisation; manufacturing function; case studies; Denmark; manufacturing industry; services.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2016.081587

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2016 Vol.30 No.6, pp.369 - 391

Received: 23 Jan 2014
Accepted: 11 Jan 2015

Published online: 17 Jan 2017 *

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