Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Service Innovation: A Literature Review of Conceptual Perspectives

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
New Metropolitan Perspectives (NMP 2022)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems ((LNNS,volume 482))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

In recent decades, theoretical and empirical contributions on the topic of service innovation have increased significantly, creating an established and growing body of research. In fact, the debate has been enriched over time, feeding on the socio-economic changes happened on recent times, opening up new interesting frontiers of theorization and a starting point for future ones.

Despite the amount of research on the subject, the debate has evolved along lines not always shared by all the scholars who, frequently, propose different conceptualizations, definitions and theories regarding service innovation; there is no common core concept at the moment. This paper examines the different lines of theorization related to service innovation research which has occurred over the decades, explaining the perspectives and the ideas that generated them, and highlighting how each of those drove the discussion about service innovation. The aim of the paper is to propose a framework of the evolution of theories on service innovation, analyzing the scientific literature produced on the subject and distinguishing it into homogeneous categories, which share the same approach and objectives.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Vargo, S., Lush, R.: Why “service”? J. Mark. Sci. XXXVI, 25–38 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Durst, S., Mention, A., Poutanen, P.: Service innovation and its impact: What do we know about? Investigaciones Europeas de Dirección y Economía de la Empresa XXI, 65–72 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Carlborg, P., Kindström, D., Kowalkowski, C.: The evolution of service innovation research: a critical review and synthesis. Serv. Ind. J. XXXIV(5), 373–398 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Ordanini, A., Parasuraman, A.: Service innovation viewed through a service-dominant logic lens: a conceptual framework and empirical analysis. J. Serv. Res. XIV(1), 3–23 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Toivonen, M., Tuominen, T.: Emergence of innovations in services. Serv. Ind. J. XXIX(7), 887–902 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Ostrom, A.L., Paraduraman, A., Bowen, D.E., Patrìcio, L., Voss, C.A.: Service research priorities in a rapidly changing context. J. Serv. Res. XVIII(2), 127–159 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Vandermerwe, S., Rada, J.: Servitization of business: adding value by adding services. Eur. Manag. J. VI(4), 314–324 (1988)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Coombs, R., Miles, I.: Innovation, Measurement and Services: the new problematique. In: Metcalfe, J.S., Miles, I. (eds.), Innovation Systems in the Service Economy, pp. 83–102 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Drejer, I.: Identifying innovation in surveys of services: a Schumpeterian perspective. Res. Policy XXXIII(3), 551–562 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Droege, H., Hildebrand, D., Forcada, M.A.H.: Innovation in services: present findings, and future pathways. J. Serv. Manag. XX(2), 131–155 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Vence, X., Trigo, A.: Diversity of innovation patterns in services. Serv. Ind. J. XXIX(12), 1635–1657 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Gallouj, F., Weinstein, O.: Innovation in services. Res. Policy XXVI(4–5), 537–556 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Barras, R.: Towards a theory of innovation in services. Res. Policy XIX, 215–237 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Gallouj, F.: Innovation in services and the attendant old and new mith. J. Socio-Econ. XXXI, 137–154 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Pavitt, K.: Sectoral pattern of technical change: toward a taxonomy and a theory. Res. Policy XIII(6), 343–373 (1984)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Miozzo, M., Soete, L.: Internalization of services: a technological perspective. Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change LXVII, 159–185 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Evangelista, R.: Sectoral patterns of technological change in services. Econ. Innov. New Technol. IX, 183–221 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Djellal, F., Gallouj, F.: Patterns of innovation organisation in service firms: postal survey results and theoretical models. Sci. Public Policy XXVIII(1), 57–67 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Sundbo, J.: Management of innovation in services. Serv. Ind. J. XVII(3), 432–455 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. den Hertog, P., van der Aa, W., de Jong, M.W.: Capabilities for managing service innovation: towards a conceptual framework. J. Serv. Manag. XXI(4), 490–514 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Sundbo, J., Gallouj, F.: Innovation as a loosely coupled system in services. Int. J. Serv. Technol. Manag. I(1), 15–36 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Hipp, C., Grupp, H.: Innovation in the service sector: the demand for service-specific innovation measurement concepts and typologies. Res. Policy XXXIV(4), 519–521 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Chen, M., Chang, Y.: Service Regime and Sectoral Patterns of Innovation in Services: a Reinvestigation using Miozzo & Soete Taxonomy. Paper on Innovation, Strategy and Structure, Druid, Denmark (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Lancaster, K.J.: A new approach to consumer theory. J. Political Econ. XIV, 133–156 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Saviotti, P.P., Metcalfe, J.S.: A theoretical approach to the construction of technological output indicators. Res. Policy XIII, 141–151 (1984)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Gallouj, F., Savona, M.: Innovation in services: A review of the debate and a research agenda. J. Evol. Econ. XIX(2), 149–172 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Kowalkowski, C., Witell, L.: Typologies and frameworks in service innovation. In: Bridges, E., Fowler, K. (eds.) The Routledge Handbook of service research insights and ideas, pp. 109–130. Routledge, New York. (2020)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  28. Antons, D., Breidbach, C.F.: Big data, big insights? advancing service innovation and design with machine learning. J. Serv. Res. XXI(1), 17–39 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Gustafsson, A., Witell, H., Witell, L.: Service innovation: a new conceptualization and path forward. J. Serv. Res. XXIII(2), 111–115 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Snyder, H., Witell, L., Gustafsson, A., Fombelle, P., Kristensson, P.: Identifying categories of service innovation: a review and synthesis of the literature. J. Bus. Res. LXIX(7), 2401–2408 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Witell, L., Snyder, H., Gustafsson, A., Fombelle, P., Kristensson, P.: Defining service innovation: A review and synthesis. J. Bus. Res. LXIX(8), 2863–2872 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Furrer, O., Kerguignas, J.Y., Delcourt, C., Gremler, D.D.: Twenty-seven years of service research: a literature review and research agenda. J. Serv. Market. XXXIV(3), 299–316 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Martin, B.: Twenty challenges for innovation studies. Sci. Public Policy XLIII(3), 432–450 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Djellal, F., Gallouj, F.: Fifteen advances in service innovation studies. In: Scupola, A., Fuglsang, L. (eds.) Integrated Crossroads of Service, Innovation and Experience Research-Emerging and Established Trends, pp. 39–65 ( 2018)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy

    Giulia Freni

Authors
  1. Giulia Freni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giulia Freni .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento PAU, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy

    Francesco Calabrò

  2. Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabr, Reggio Calabria, Italy

    Lucia Della Spina

  3. University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain

    María José Piñeira Mantiñán

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Freni, G. (2022). Service Innovation: A Literature Review of Conceptual Perspectives. In: Calabrò, F., Della Spina, L., Piñeira Mantiñán, M.J. (eds) New Metropolitan Perspectives. NMP 2022. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 482. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06825-6_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation