Citation
(2007), "Special issue on Product-services modes of working: operations management implications", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 27 No. 9. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijopm.2007.02427iaa.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Special issue on Product-services modes of working: operations management implications
Special issue on Product-services modes of working: operations management implicationsFor years those in the operations management community have debated the boundaries between manufacturing and service, recognising that these boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred. In business this blurring is becoming more pronounced, especially with the emergence of new forms of contracting, often enabled by developments in information technology. Providing additional services to accompany the sale of products is increasingly central to the strategies of many manufacturing companies. Here we can see trends to offer a complete product and a one-off service (as in design and build in construction), and the trend to design/develop/make and operate a product, facility or service through-life (as in ``power by the hour'', now renamed ``total care solutions'' in aerospace, where engines are leased rather than sold. A similar trend is apparent in the construction and engineering sectors. In construction, procurement models such as Private Finance Initiative (PFI) reduced the traditional divide between the role of the construction company and facilities management. The rationale is said to include, inter alia, customer relationships, steadier income flows, product differentiation and response to changing customer demands. Indeed, it has been argued that traditional distinctions between products and services are becoming increasingly blurred as organizations combine tangible products and intangible services into a bundled product/service offering. The phenomenon has been variously referred to as ``product-service'', ``servitization'' and ``integrated solutions''.Papers are sought for a special issue on Product-Service Systems for the International Journal of Operations & Production Management. Empirical and theoretical contributions are encouraged which discuss the implications of product service modes of working for operations management research and practice. The Operation Management/Service Operations Management focus of papers needs to be clear and the papers must engage with the operations literature. Contributed papers may deal with, but are not limited to, the implications of product-services systems for:
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Operations strategy and competitive priorities.
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Operations and service design.
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Supply chains and networks.
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Production planning and control.
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Quality management.
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Performance measurement and management.
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Knowledge and information management.
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Organisational change and improvement.
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Project management.
Manuscripts should not exceed 8,000 words. All contributions are subjected to a double-blind review process. There should be a separate title page giving the names and addresses of the authors and any other references that reveal the identity of the authors should be removed. Full papers are required by30 March 2008.Guest Editors for the special issue:Professor Adrian Wilkinson, Griffith Business School,Griffith University, AustraliaE-mail: adrian.wilkinson@griffith.edu.auProfessor Andrew Dainty,Department of Civil and Building Engineering,Loughborough University, UKE-mail: a.r.j.dainty@lboro.ac.ukProfessor Andy Neely, Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University, UKE-mail: a.neely@cranfield.ac.uk