The Incidence and Effects of Innovation in Services Evidence from Germany

Abstract

International Journal of Innovation ManagementVol. 04, No. 04, pp. 417-453 (2000) Special Issue: Services Innovation; Guest Editor: Ian MilesNo AccessTHE INCIDENCE AND EFFECTS OF INNOVATION IN SERVICES: EVIDENCE FROM GERMANYCHRISTIANE HIPP, BRUCE S. TETHER, and IAN MILESCHRISTIANE HIPPMannesmann Pilotentwicklung, Chiemgaustr. 116, 81549 Munich, GermanyTechnical University of Hamburg Harburg, Dept. Technology and Innovation Management, Schwarzenbergstr. 95, 21073 Hamburg, Germany Search for more papers by this author , BRUCE S. TETHERESRC Centre for Research on Innovation and Competition, University of Manchester & UMIST, Precinct Centre, Manchester, M13 9QH, UK Search for more papers by this author , and IAN MILESESRC Centre for Research on Innovation and Competition, University of Manchester & UMIST, Precinct Centre, Manchester, M13 9QH, UKPREST, University of Manchester, Mathematics Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK Search for more papers by this author https://doi.org/10.1142/S1363919600000226Cited by:101 PreviousNext AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsRecommend to Library ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail AbstractInnovation processes in services remain under-researched, but recently large-scale surveys have been conducted which allow for a more systematic appraisal of the level and scope of innovation in services. To date, much of the literature on innovation in services focuses on the adoption and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Innovation in services, and services innovation, should, however, be understood in broader terms, and this understanding should extend to non-technological innovation. This paper presents evidence from a recent large-scale survey of innovation amongst German commercial service firms. It shows that services are much more active with respect to innovation than is widely thought. They are innovative in terms of being producers of service and process innovations. From our broader perspective, we examine the pattern of innovation as it relates to the standardisation-particularisation of service products, across a range of service sectors and across firms of various sizes. The production of bespoke or customised services shaped by client inputs has long been considered a defining characteristic of many services, and one that has affected their innovation potential. The present analysis reveals a pattern of diversity in behaviour, which reflects the diversity amongst service firms, and demonstrates the need for more subtle and differentiated analyses of services and services innovation.Keywords:servicesinnovation processesinnovation effectslarge-scale surveyGermany Remember to check out the Most Cited Articles! Be inspired by these New Titles in Business and Management FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited By 101An integrative framework for business model innovation in the tourism industry旅游业商业模式创新的综合框架Sascha Kraus, Andreas Kallmuenzer, Dominik K. Kanbach, Peter M. Krysta and Maurice M. 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