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The impact of servitization on firm performance: a meta-analysis

Weijiao Wang (Business School, Central South University, Changsha, China)
Kee-Hung Lai (Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong)
Yongyi Shou (School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China)

International Journal of Operations & Production Management

ISSN: 0144-3577

Article publication date: 1 June 2018

Issue publication date: 14 June 2018

3547

Abstract

Purpose

Servitization has been recognized as an effective means for manufacturers to achieve superior performance. However, the servitization-performance relationship is controversial since prior empirical studies have provided inconsistent and even contradictory results. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to provide a quantitative review on the servitization-performance relationship based on research findings reported in the extant literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Studies from 41 peer-reviewed journal articles were sampled and analyzed. A meta-analytic approach was adopted to conduct a quantitative review on the relationship between servitization and firm performance.

Findings

The results confirm a positive servitization-performance relationship. In addition, the results reveal that the observed servitization-performance relationship is influenced by the operationalization of constructs (servitization and performance) and control variables (industry and region).

Originality/value

As the first meta-analysis on the servitization-performance relationship, this study contributes to the servitization literature and provides future research directions.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This paper was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 71472166. It is part of the learning outcomes of the first author for the author’s Guided Study subject at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Citation

Wang, W., Lai, K.-H. and Shou, Y. (2018), "The impact of servitization on firm performance: a meta-analysis", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 38 No. 7, pp. 1562-1588. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-04-2017-0204

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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