Innovation in service industry: the role of consultants

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Published: Mar 12, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24840/2183-0606_005.004_0006
Issue: Vol. 5 No. 4 (2017)
Keywords:
Consultancies, innovation intermediaries, service innovation, technological and non-technological innovation.

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Manuela Dias Rezende Pinto
FEP - University of Porto
Irina Saur-Amaral
School of Business & Social Sciences, Universidade Europeia
Carlos Melo Brito
FEP - University of Porto

Abstract

Much of the existing literature on innovation intermediaries is focused on manufacturing, and limited scientific knowledge has been developed about the role of intermediaries in services. This paper aims to expand and test an existing framework on the roles and functions of intermediaries in services, focusing specifically on consultancies. Furthermore, it is investigated to what extent services and manufacturing are perceived as different clients, and what represents the added-value of consultancies. Using a case study approach, consultancies´ activities are analysed and compared within services and manufacturing contexts. Findings indicate that while consultancies do not consider manufacturing companies different from service companies, during the collaboration process several differences do exist in terms of their role in these two types of companies, mainly due to different degrees of development of the corresponding innovation strategies and to different perspectives regarding the use of technology. 

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