Innovation in services in networks of organizations and in the distribution of services

Three approaches of studying innovation in services are recognized: the assimilation, demarcation and synthesis approach. The synthesis approach attempts to arrive at a theory relevant for service and manufacturing. Gallouj and Weinstein [Gallouj, R, Weinstein, O., 1997. Innovation in services. Research Policy 26, 537-556] were one of the first to take this approach. This article contributes to the synthesis approach by revising their theory to enable reasoning about recent innovation trends in networks of organizations and in the distribution of services. The theory revision is based on several case studies. Implications for the study of innovation are discussed in terms of results from recent demarcation studies. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.