Service sourcing and supplier relationships in product-centricservitization: a preliminary study.

Purpose: To explain how sourcing decisions and buyer-supplier relationships are influenced by the typology of product-service systems offered by the companies in a context of product-centric servitization. Design/methodology/approach: Building on previous research we develop a new classification for product-related services and define four archetypal typologies of product-service systems. Then, on the light of the extant literature on buyer-supplier relationships and on the basis of the evidences coming from four case studies, we investigate how the sourcing decisions taken by servitized companies are affected by the typology of product-service systems they offer. Findings: The paper shows the linkages between the typology of product-service systems being offered by a servitized company and its relationships with the suppliers to whom service delivery is outsourced. Research limitations/implications: Future research efforts should be targeted at investigating the generalizability of the conclusion we draw on the basis on the four cases. Practical implications: The paper can help servitized companies in undertaking sourcing decisions and crafting their buyer-supplier relationships. Originality/value: The paper partially fills in a literature gap providing new insights about the buyer-supplier relationships in product-centric servitization.