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The servitization of manufacturing: A review of literature and reflection on future challenges

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Baines, T.S., Lightfoot, H.W., Benedettini, O., Kay, J.M.·2009·Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
DOI 10.1108/17410380910960984
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Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to report the state‐of‐the‐art of servitization by presenting a clinical review of literature currently available on the topic. The paper aims to define the servitization concept, report on its origin, features and drivers and give examples of its adoption along with future research challenges. Design/methodology/approach: In determining the scope of this study, the focus is on articles that are central and relevant to servitization within a wider manufacturing context. The methodology consists of identifying relevant publication databases, searching these using a wide range of key words and phrases associated with servitization, and then fully reviewing each article in turn. The key findings and their implications for research are all described. Findings: Servitization is the innovation of an organisation's capabilities and processes to shift from selling products to selling integrated products and services that deliver value in use. There are a diverse range of servitization examples in the literature. These tend to emphasize the potential to maintain revenue streams and improve profitability. Practical implications: Servitization does not represent a panacea for manufactures. However, it is a concept of significant potential value, providing routes for companies to move up the value chain and exploit higher value business activities. There is little work to date that can be used to help practitioners. Originality/value: This paper provides a useful review of servitization and a platform on which to base more in‐depth research into the broader topic of service‐led competitive strategy by drawing on the work from other related research communities.

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  • Possibilities for servitization range from personalization and customization to defining software functionalities that complement and augment the product and become the major added value of a physical product.

    “Possibilities range from personalization and customization to the definition of a compelling set of software functionalities that will complement and augment the product and will be the major added value of a physical product [188].”

    From Digital Twin in the IoT Context: A Survey on Technical Features, Scenarios, and Architectural Models (2020) · cites this paper as [188]

    Section 4.3 (p. 1) describes tailored customer solutions and a continuum in which services can become the main source of value rather than the physical product. Section 4.6 (p. 1) also gives an example of services embedded in a product. The copy does not identify software functionalities as the means of augmenting a product or as its major added value. (LLM, conf=0.85)

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  • It can be adopted for monitoring the entire life cycle of a distributed system and its objects.

    “For its interesting capabilities, it can be adopted for monitoring the entire life cycle of a distributed system and its objects [46][47].”

    From Digital Twin in the IoT Context: A Survey on Technical Features, Scenarios, and Architectural Models (2020) · cites this paper as [46]

    Section 4.6 (p. 1) mentions in-flight monitoring of engine systems as an example of an embedded service, but does not discuss monitoring the entire life cycle of a distributed system or its objects. Searches for the claim’s distinctive phrase, distributed-system objects, life-cycle monitoring, and monitoring found no passage addressing that capability. (LLM, conf=0.74)

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Research works printed but not linked: 41

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Authors
Baines, T. S., Lightfoot, H. W., Benedettini, O., & Kay, J. M.
Affiliations
Cranfield University (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
Publisher
Emerald
Published
2009-06-05
Volume
20
Issue
5
Pages
547-567
ISSN
1741-038X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1108/17410380910960984
OpenAlex
W1914225607
Cited by
1,541
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 73 · 2025: 66 · 2024: 77 · 2023: 99 · 2022: 80 · 2021: 117 · 2020: 105 · 2019: 143 · 2018: 130 · 2017: 115 · 2016: 110 · 2015: 119 · 2014: 103 · 2013: 84 · 2012: 66
FWCI
124.49
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.emerald.com/insight/site-policies (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management (publishedVersion)
  • Aston Publications Explorer (Aston University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Marketing › Service and Product Innovation
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Sustainable Supply Chain Management
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management Information Systems › Outsourcing and Supply Chain Management
Keywords
servitization, manufacturing industry, product-service systems, value-in-use, value chain, income sources, profitability

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