Servitization in inter-organizational constellations: a multi-perspective approach - Investigating the role of agile innovation approaches
Xander Stegehuis is a PhD student in the department Industrial Engineering & Business Information Systems. (Co)Promotors are prof.dr.ir. L.J.M. Nieuwenhuis and dr. A.M. von Raesfeld Meijer from the faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences.
This dissertation addresses the critical yet underexplored topic of servitization in inter-organizational constellations. Servitization entails the transformation of manufacturing firms from a product-orientation to a service orientation and involves radical changes in terms of processes, capabilities, and offerings. Despite the recognized importance of external collaboration in this transformative journey, the dynamics, challenges, and effective management approaches remain underexplored. By investigating servitization in inter-organizational constellations from multiple theoretical angles, this dissertation brings forth a multi-perspective approach. This approach unveils how servitization unfolds across organizational boundaries and how agile innovation approaches can facilitate this complex and unpredictable transformation.
Key findings reveal the importance of an open and flexible managerial mindset, the necessity of embracing inter-organizational tensions stemming from diverging goals, perceptions, and expectations, and the role of agile innovation approaches. Agile methodologies provide a normative innovation framework that promotes the flexibility and open approach required for successful servitization. This work not only advances our theoretical understanding of servitization dynamics but also offers actionable insights for practitioners aiming to navigate the servitization journey effectively.
