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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]

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 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]