Ecosystem transformation for digital servitization: A systematic review, integrative framework, and future research agenda

doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.03.067

Journal of Business Research

Volume 146, July 2022, Pages 176-200

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.03.067 Get rights and content

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Abstract

Manufacturing firms are increasingly seeking to capture the potential of digitalization by transforming towards digital servitization. Yet, most manufacturers struggle to realize the value through digital servitization because it requires a sustained focus on forming ecosystem partnerships. Digital servitization research has long recognized the importance of ecosystem tranformation but much of the existing discussion on this interlink is fragmented and understudied. Therefore, this study’s purpose is to investigate how manufacturing firms engaged in digital servitization transform their ecosystems. To this end, we have examined the triggers, firm-level enablers, ecosystem phases and activities, and effects of ecosystem transformation in digital servitization. We provide a comprehensive review of the phases of ecosystem transformation including ecosystem formation, orchestration, and expansion as well as their associated activities. These findings have been consolidated into an integrative framework for ecosystem transformation and, based on this analysis, suggestions for future research are provided for digital servitization scholars.

Keywords

Digital servitization

Ecosystem transformation

Ecosystem orchestration

Servitization

Innovation ecosystem

Business ecosystem

Cited by (0)

Milad Kolagar is a PhD candidate in entrepreneurship and innovation at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. His research interests include but not limited to digital servitization, innovation ecosystems, digitalization, business model innovation, and strategic management.

Vinit Parida is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, and a visiting professor at the University of Vaasa, Finland. His research interests include organizational capabilities, servitization, business model innovation, digitalization of industrial ecosystems, and the circular economy. He has published more than 60 journal papers in distinguished international journals, including Strategic Management Journal, Industrial Marketing Management, Journal of Management Studies, Production and Operations Management, Journal of Cleaner Production, and he is an editorial review board member for Industrial Marketing Management and Journal of Business Research. He is the recipient of multiple awards for his research.

David Sjödin is an associate professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at Luleå University of Technology, Sweden. He conducts research on the topics of servitization, advanced services, digitalization, process innovation, and business model innovation in collaboration with leading global firms and regularly consults with industry. He has published more than 30 papers in distinguished international journals, including California Management Review, Long Range Planning, Journal of Business Research, Indus-trial Marketing Management, and Journal of Product Innovation Management. He is the recipient of multiple awards, including the Entrepreneurship Forum Young Researcher Award 2018 for his research on the servitization of industry.