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Cost engineering capabilities are becoming increasingly important for the competitiveness of industrial firms, especially for engineer to order products (ETOPs). Despite this relevance, the literature on the use of advanced data-driven methodologies, such as machine learning (ML), for early cost estimation (CE) of ETOPs is quite sparse. Furthermore, ML has still seen little use in real industrial applications due to several challenges. Accordingly, the objective of this paper is threefold: (a) to develop a solid early CE approach for ETOPs, including feature selection; (b) to investigate the benefits of adopting ML for ETOPs' CE; (c) to identify how ML can be introduced into real industrial context with little knowledge on ML. Long action research has been carried out with a large industrial company that produces Oil & Gas ETOPs. We observed how ML facilitates the exploration of the relationships between the choices of early design stages and the CE. ML algorithms also allowed to both capture the high variability of the data and test different combinations of cost drivers in very effective ways. The project resulted in an accurate CE framework with an iterative feature selection process and an approach for introducing ML into a real industrial context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research sought to uncover the role played by intellectual capital (IC) in the interplay between strategic alliances of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and servitisation strategies. An in‐depth investigation of a single case represented by an SME consortium in the elevator industry served as the empirical context. Multiple sets of data were examined by integrating the analysis of documents with the analysis of data gathered through semi‐structured interviews. We found that a strategic alliance among SMEs constitutes a form of relational capital and creates/improves other components of IC that support the formulation of the servitisation strategy and enable its implementation. The development of IC triggered by the formation of a strategic alliance appears to function as a driver of the servitisation strategy and to influence the innovation process. The value of this research lies in the analysis of IC in a new context—the servitisation of SMEs through strategic alliances—that focusses on interrelations among multiple forms of capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research proposes a gamified approach to creating a culture for sustainable-oriented innovation. Specifically, we use action research to explore the mechanisms through which business decision-makers (such as entrepreneurs, executives and managers) reflect on their practices and obstacles to innovation, and then we use gamification to stimulate the involvement and creativity of managers. The main contribution of this paper is the design of a one-day gamified workshop in which participants collaborate first to identify common values and then to drive the co-creation of sustainable innovations. The workshop has been applied with managers of a real company to evaluate its playability and to validate its effectiveness in creating a culture for sustainable innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the contribution of knowledge-intensive business services firms to small- and medium-sized manufacturers' digital servitization journeys, addressing the standardization versus customization dichotomy of services and solutions provision. Design/methodology/approach: To identify the challenges that small- and medium-sized firms must face in the digital servitization journey and the role that knowledge-intensive business services firms may play in the innovation processes, the authors conduct a review on two still unrelated literature streams and develop a longitudinal single-case study, with a particular focus on knowledge generation mechanisms. Findings: Digital servitization is a particularly challenging transformational journey for minor firms. Knowledge-intensive business services firms can act as sources, facilitators, and carriers of knowledge, and they can orchestrate further contributions of other external partners and firms. Research limitations/implications: The paper contributes to theory describing the roadmap and the role of external service providers in digital servitization journeys of smaller firms', that are frequently excluded from mainstream research although being the backbone of European economies. Practical implications: Digital servitization in minor manufacturing firms requires a long-term orientation and a multi-stage roadmap. Mixing standardized technology-based solutions and complementary professional services, knowledge-intensive business services firms can significantly contribute to lowering the journey's uncertainties, operational complexity, and costs. Originality/value: The paper sheds lights on how the collaboration between knowledge-intensive business services firms and small manufacturers generates novel knowledge and capabilities that contribute to takle the challenges of the different stages of the digital servitization roadmap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper presents a model aiming to identify the factors influencing the adoption of augmented reality (AR) for industrial services. Design/methodology/approach: The study combines a literature analysis with an empirical study conducted exploring how five large industrial companies are introducing AR for supporting the provision of technical assistance and industrial services to their installed base. Findings: The authors identify four categories (task, workforce, context and technology) that combine 18 factors that manufacturing companies should consider when introducing AR technology to support industrial services. Originality/value: This paper systematises the fragmented literature on technology adoption and in particular those works related to the factors affecting the adoption of AR in industrial services. Based on literature and empirical evidence, the authors propose a novel framework that can help companies in the selection of AR solution based on their specific applications and situations. This study therefore contributes also to the existing literature on the adoption of I4.0 and digital technologies in industrial services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data monetization (DM) has become a relevant aspect of the industrial manufacturing. Consequently, this paper proposes a theoretical framework as well as a mathematical model to price industrial data. For this purpose, three characteristics of the data were considered, i.e. 1) quality; 2) entropy and 3) value. Besides, the role of data marketplace's players was analyzed. In order to validate the economic equation, a case study was carried out by a Spanish manufacturer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rise of digital technologies, the possibility to retrieve a large amount of data from connected sources can become a key source of value creation in the context of service provision. Nevertheless, product service offerings that can be built on data retrieved from connected products, that we will call data-driven product service system, remains poorly covered from both the academic and the practitioners' perspectives. Notably, a univocal definition of the characteristics of data-driven product service system is still missing. Therefore, this paper represents a first attempt in the systematic definition of data-driven services types and their features as a fundamental step to support their understanding and development. To accomplish this aim, the paper proposes a holistic view of data-driven product service system characteristics, employing a two-level hierarchical conceptual framework for business to business applications. The framework is constructed with a theory-building approach involving multiple industrial companies. The paper eventually reports a case study to demonstrate the applicability of the framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of digital technologies in service business transformation is under-investigated. This paper contributes to filling this gap by addressing how the Internet of things (IoT), cloud computing (CC) and predictive analytics (PA) facilitate service transformation in industrial companies. Through the Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom (DIKW) model, we discuss how the abovementioned technologies transform low-level entities such as data into information and knowledge to support the service transformation of manufacturers. We propose a set of digital capabilities, based on the extant literature and the findings from four case studies. Then, we discuss how these capabilities support the service transformation trajectories of manufacturers. We find that IoT is foundational to any service transformation, although it is mostly needed to become an availability provider. PA is essential for moving to the performance provider profile. Besides providing scalability in all profiles, CC is specifically used to implement an industrialiser strategy, therefore leading to standardised, repeatable and productised offerings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper describes the use of simulation and case-study research to assess flexibility gains induced by the adoption of three Lean Manufacturing practices. Design/methodology/approach: We gather useful material and information about the manufacturing process of a selected Small-Medium Enterprise by adopting a case-research approach. The Value Stream Mapping is the method used for visualizing flows of products and information along the production system. Starting from the current arrangement of the company, computer simulation is used to assess the benefits arising from Cellular Manufacturing, Just-in-Time Delivery by Suppliers, and Single Minute Exchange of Dies. Findings: To investigate the flexibility improvements coming from the introduction of Lean Manufacturing, we present a simulation model of the described company on which we performed our analysis. We quantify the flexibility of different configurations according to the new 5-step approach in order to segregate the contribution of different lean techniques. Originality/value: We extend the combined use of Case Research and Computer Simulation to the research on Manufacturing Flexibility within Small-Medium Enterprises. We enhance the knowledge on this under investigated context collecting quantitative field data. Moreover, building on the factorial Design of Experiment, we introduce a new 5-step method to appraise the costbenefit ratio of lean techniques for flexibility. The managerial implication of this research is mostly related to the provision of a supporting method for the decision making process propaedeutic to Lean Manufacturing introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the strategies used by manufacturing companies to price service offerings. After reviewing the extant literature on this subject, the paper forwards propositions that are relevant to illustrate the relationships between servitization, pricing strategies, bundling options, revenue models and pricing capabilities. Using multiple case-based research, this study makes three contributions to the literature on servitization of manufacturing firms. It extensively explores the relationship between servitization and pricing practices, it suggests which factors can moderate this relationship and it examines the capabilities demanded to the firm to introduce innovative pricing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this study, we present an exploratory framework to support the development of hybrid solutions within the context of product-centric servitisation. We hypothesise that the development of hybrid solutions should be driven by two main variables: the potential value in use of the product and the perceived risk associated with the value creation process. Moreover, we suggest splitting the perceived risk into availability, use, process and environment-related components. Hence, based on these variables, we suggest: (i) the services that should be attached to a product; (ii) the effect of these attached services on the customer value creation process; and (iii) the benefits that both customer and supplier can achieve from the delivery of hybrid solutions. The practical implications of this study are discussed with respect to several case examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of Augmented Reality (AR) technologies can make the provision of field services to industrial equipment more effective. In these situations, the cost of deploying skilled technicians in geographically dispersed locations must be accurately traded off with the risks of not respecting the service level agreements with the customers. This paper, through the case study of a leading OEM in the production printing industry, presents the challenges that have to be faced in order to favour the adoption of a particular kind of AR named Mobile Collaborative Augmented Reality (MCAR). In particular, this study uses both qualitative and quantitative research. Firstly, a demonstration to show how MCAR can support field service was settled in order to achieve information about the use experience of the people involved. Then, the entire field force of Océ Italia - Canon Group was surveyed in order to investigate quantitatively the technicians' perceptions about the usefulness and ease of use of MCAR, as well as their intentions to use this technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper proposes a model for assessing the maturity of new service development (NSD) processes in manufacturing companies that offer product-services. The model adopts a five-stage scale on which key elements are evaluated according to the following dimensions: (1) the approach used to manage processes and projects (2) the use of specific resources, skills and tools (3) the involvement of customers, suppliers and other stakeholders and (4) the adoption of performance management systems. An empirical application of the model was carried out based on an inter-company workshop and in-depth interviews. Such a model allows not only to describe the maturity of NSD processes of a company but also to identify the main gaps and to prioritize improvement actions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]