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Innovation and ICT in service firms: towards a multidimensional approach for impact assessment

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Abstract

This article focuses on the multimodal character of innovation in services firms as the analytical framework by which to assess the role of different sources and agents, ICT in particular, in enabling various impacts of innovation. The peculiarities of service innovation require a wider approach than that observed for goods innovation, which is less focused on non-technological aspects. An ad hoc survey was carried out in the region of Madrid to test a microeconometric and multidimensional approach at the firm level. Specific impacts of innovation are examined by carrying out an ordered probit model with sample selection. Results indicate a certain correspondence between the multidimensional nature of service innovation and a preliminary impact assessment. The paper notes that ICT and clients–providers interactions are both important, acting to facilitate different types of service innovation.

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Notes

  1. Groups have been constructed according to the evident affinities amongst the service activities.

  2. In any case, manifestations must not be considered as watertight departments in the sense that in some points may be heavily intertwined. In fact, market expansion may be underpinned by productivity motivations.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the useful suggestions made by the referees. Authors’ names are given in alphabetical order.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Economy, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain

    David Gago

  2. Department of Applied Economy, University of Alcalá and Servilab, Madrid, Spain

    Luis Rubalcaba

  3. European Network for Research on Services, RESER, Plaza de la Victoria 2, 28802 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain

    Luis Rubalcaba

Authors
  1. David Gago
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  2. Luis Rubalcaba
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Correspondence to Luis Rubalcaba.

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Gago, D., Rubalcaba, L. Innovation and ICT in service firms: towards a multidimensional approach for impact assessment. J Evol Econ 17, 25–44 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00191-006-0030-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00191-006-0030-8

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