Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the interplay between firm boundary decisions and the management of both efficiency and flexibility and the implications this has for modular design in the provision of advanced services. Design/methodology/approach: A single case study in the defence industry employs semi-structured interviews supplemented by secondary data. Data are analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The findings provide a process model of boundary negotiations for the design of efficient and flexible modular systems consisting of three phases; boundary ambiguity, boundary defences and boundary alignment. Practical implications: The study provides a process framework for boundary negotiations to help organisations navigate the management of both-and efficiency and flexibility in the provision of advanced services. Originality/value: Drawing upon modularity, paradox and systems theory, this article provides novel theoretical insight into the relationship between firm boundary decisions and the management of both-and efficiency vs. flexibility in the provision of product upgrade services.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 574-597 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| Journal | International Journal of Operations and Production Management |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 10 May 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 13 Aug 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors would like to acknowledge the funding contributed as part of the EPSRC iCase award [EP/L505730/1]. Without this funding and access to the case organisation, this research would not have been possible.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Keywords
- Advanced services
- Boundary negotiation
- Firm boundary
- Modularity
- Paradox theory
- Product upgrade services
- Servitisation