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Reconceptualizing the Service Paradox in Engineering Companies: Is HR a Missing Link?

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Stewart Johnstone

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).


Abstract

Many global engineering organizations have gradually shifted away from the provision of tangible products toward the provision of high-value-combined product-service solutions. This business paradigm is purported to represent a key strategic opportunity for such firms, and has attracted the attention of practitioners, consultants, and researchers. However, it has also been recognized that many firms fail to generate increased financial returns, the so-called the "service paradox." Despite an emerging international research literature which alludes to cultural and human resource challenges, few studies have explicitly explored such issues from a human resource (HR) perspective. Informed by two in-depth case studies of global engineering organizations in the U.K., this paper examines the HR challenges and reveals the complex realities of enacting product-service (PS) strategies in practice. It reveals that even where services have proved profitable, firms may still encounter various HR challenges, and struggle to fully exploit their service strategies. Addressing such challenges may represent a key enabler in delivering integrated product-services in organizations attempting to mesh distinctive engineering and service paradigms.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Johnstone S, Wilkinson A, Dainty A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management

Year: 2014

Volume: 61

Issue: 2

Pages: 275-284

Print publication date: 01/05/2014

Online publication date: 31/01/2014

Acceptance date: 09/09/2013

Date deposited: 28/11/2014

ISSN (print): 0018-9391

ISSN (electronic): 1558-0040

Publisher: IEEE

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2013.2289738

DOI: 10.1109/TEM.2013.2289738


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
EP(C534220(1Economic and Social Research Council
RES-331-27-0006Economic and Social Research Council

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