Servitization Education for Technical Personnel: Concept and Its Effect on R&D Output

Abstract

Manufacturing companies are recognizing the importance of integrating service-based value in technologybased businesses for sustainable corporate success. However, unlike large manufacturing companies, most other companies have limited technological and human resources. We need to consider servitization when resources are limited. The authors have developed a practical approach to servitization and verified its effectiveness in a middle sized Japanese manufacturing company through action research. As a result, we found a successful case that is based on resource integration among several companies. Through the analysis of how engineers can produce innovative results under limited resources, this study will demonstrate how servitized engineers changed their view on technology and what they did to achieve innovative results, thereby showing what will be needed in servitization education for technical personnel.