Welcome to a research seminar on services-as-practices followed by a common discussion for a program application!

During the seminar Per Skålén will present a paper that develops a services-as-practices (SAP) framework in the form of eight propositions. The framework is based on a review of practice theory, service research and value theory and is intended as a new foundation for the service research discipline. The abstract of the paper can be found below and a draft version can be requested from Per Skålén by email.

A discussion will follow the presentation of the paper centering on the possibility to write a common CTF program application (to Riksbankens Jubileumsfond or European Research Council) based on the SAP framework. The basic idea behind the program application is to use the SAP framework to develop several service research streams, such as research on servitization, public services, service design and innovation, sustainability, service ecosystems, service engagements, service platforms etc.

Welcome to this seminar and discussion!

Best wishes,

Per Skålén

Abstract

Researchers as well as firms, customers, and other societal actors commonly apprehends services as a type of offering. However, service research today lacks a viable corresponding conceptualization of services. To address this issue, this paper suggests that services are practices or organized and reoccurring activities. Based on a review of research on practices, services, and value the paper makes a contribution by developing a services-as-practices (SAP) framework in the form of eight propositions that may serve as a foundation to the service research discipline. A core contribution of the SAP framework is the notion that services are bundles of value cocreation practices (VCPs) which designates organized, reoccurring, and interlinked activities that actors engage in to cocreate and make sense of value. By showing that the value of services is a function of how much aggregated time and energy committed actors spend engaging in the VCPs services consist of, the SAP framework also contributes to develop the understanding of value in service research. In addition, the SAP framework offers managers, customers, and other societal actors a novel vantage point for analyzing the true nature of services, to compare different services, manage services, and to develop new services.

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Medverkande

• Per Skålén, Professor of Business Administration based at the Service Research Center
  Telefon: 054-700 2112
  E-post: per.skalen@kau.se

Upplysningar

• Charlotta Andersson, Administrator
  Telefon: 054-700 2518
  E-post: charlotta.andersson@kau.se

Room: 11A316 or Zoom via link: https://kau-se.zoom.us/j/8077131592