Factors affecting service innovations in FM service sector

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose is to clarify the concept of service innovation in the context of FM service and to map the factors that are critical for service innovations in the FM service sector. The research questions are: how can service innovations be classified in the FM service sector and what are the factors that create requirements and barriers to the service innovations in the FM service sector?Design/methodology/approachThe nature of this study is qualitative. The data were gathered from two specialist workshops and from semi‐structured interviews. The people interviewed worked for the largest service provider companies in Finland and their customers.FindingsResults yielded by this study comprise the classification of service innovations and the factors that create requirements and barriers for the service innovations in the FM service sector.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on examining the innovation process and its development and on developing innovation activity in large‐scale service provider companies in Finland.Practical implicationsThis study promotes innovation activity in the FM service sector. It helps a service provider to minimize the barriers of service innovation and maximize the related requirements.Originality/valueThis study promotes innovation activity in the FM service sector. It helps a service provider to minimize the barriers of service innovation and maximize the related requirements.