The servitisation of manufacturing function: empirical case studies

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.

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