Servitization and firm performance: a p-curve analysis

Abstract

Purpose Motivated by the ongoing debate around transparency in empirical research and the reproducibility of scientific discoveries, this study aims to quantify the presence or absence of evidential value in published findings within the field of servitization research. Specifically, it evaluated whether the findings of published articles on the relationship between servitization and firm performance were free from p-hacking and selective reporting practices. Design/methodology/approach A total of 76 studied on this relationship were synthesized. For the main p-curve analysis, only one significant p-value was extracted from each article, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the p-curve method. Specifically, the analyzed p-values were independent of one another and exhibited a uniform distribution. Findings Both the main p-curve analysis results and robustness tests support the conclusion that this branch of the literature does have evidential value based on the published findings. Furthermore, approximately 60 studies included in the main p-curve analysis reported a significance level of p < 0.025 regarding the relationship between servitization and firm performance. Originality/value This research contributes to the ongoing debate on transparency in servitization research and advances the current understanding of the relationship between servitization and firm performance.