The role of servitization for small firms: drivers versus barriers Online publication date: Mon, 12-Oct-2015
by Ilenia Confente; Andrea Buratti; Ivan Russo
International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business (IJESB), Vol. 26, No. 3, 2015
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore the servitization approach in order to understand the development of this trend among small Italian companies. In doing so, this study adopted a qualitative method and data were collected via in-depth interviews with managers of firms belonging to the footwear industry - an important sector for the Italian economy. Data analysis was realised through NVivo software, thereby providing a first understanding of the drivers that lead these companies to become 'servitized', as well as the main obstacles they face when considering providing services beyond their core offering. This study suggests important implications both for managers and marketing scholars. For academics, it extends the existing knowledge of the factors that influence this organisational and managerial change, and enriches the body of knowledge of the main drivers of and barriers to servitization. For practitioners, it helps in the understanding of the main advantages and potential obstacles to developing a servitization process.
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business (IJESB):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:
Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.
If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com
Our Blog 
Follow us on Twitter 
Visit us on Facebook