A service network is a structure that brings together several entities to deliver a particular service. For instance, one organisation (the buyer) may sub-contract another organisation (the supplier) to deliver after-sales services to a third party (the customer). The buyer may use more than one supplier. Likewise, the supplier may participate in other networks. The rationale for a service network is that each organisation is focusing on what they do best. A service network can also be defined as a collection of people and information brought together on the

internet The Internet (or internet) is the global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a '' network of networks'' that consists of private, pub ...

to provide a specific service or achieve a common business objective. It is an evolving extension of

service system A service system (or customer service system, CSS) is a configuration of technology and organizational networks designed to deliver services that satisfy the needs, wants, or aspirations of customers. "Service system" is a term used in the serv ...

s and applies

Enterprise 2.0 Web 2.0 (also known as participative (or participatory) web and social web) refers to websites that emphasize user-generated content, ease of use, participatory culture and interoperability (i.e., compatibility with other products, systems, and ...

technologies, also known as

enterprise social software Enterprise social software (also known as or regarded as a major component of Enterprise 2.0), comprises social software as used in "enterprise" (business/commercial) contexts. It includes social and networked modifications to corporate intranets ...

, to enable corporations to leverage the advances of the consumer internet for the benefit of business. In this case, the service network is designed to benefit from the wisdom of crowds and a human's natural tendency and desire to share information, collaborate, and self organize into communities of common interests and objectives. In business, the value of collaboration is clearly recognized, but the ability is often hampered by rigid organizational boundaries and fragmented information systems. A service network enables businesses to realize the benefits of

mass collaboration Mass collaboration is a form of collective action that occurs when large numbers of people work independently on a single project, often modular in its nature. Such projects typically take place on the internet using social software and computer-s ...

despite the constraints of modern organizational structures and systems. The term ''service network'' is increasingly being used within the context of service innovation initiatives that span academia, business, and government. Some examples include: * The University of Cambridge and IBM Corporation use the term ''service network'' in their discussion paper, "Succeeding through Service Innovation" and describe it within the context of service systems networks. * Ingres Corporation uses the term ''service network'' as a new paradigm in software service to enable Enterprise 2.0 IT service management. * Openwater Corporation uses the term ''service network'' to help describe and brand their product offerings and solutions.

History

The world's economy is shifting rapidly from agriculture and manufacturing to services. When the United States declared independence, 90% of the world's economy was on the farm. Today, the services sector accounts for approximately 80% of the U.S. economy. But unlike traditional disciplines like computer science and engineering, innovation and investment directed towards service innovation had historically not kept pace with its growth. However, in 2007, momentum and investment in service innovation grew dramatically and the creation and evolution of ''service networks'' began in earnest along with many other service initiatives.

Investments in service innovation

Investments in service innovation include, but are not limited to, service networks. * Business Week magazine, in an article dated, March 29, 2007, cited Service Innovation as the Next Big Thing. * IBM is investing heavily in

service science, management and engineering Service science, management, and engineering (SSME) is a term introduced by IBM to describe an interdisciplinary approach to the study and innovation of service systems. More precisely, SSME has been defined as the application of science, managem ...

(SSME) as a means to bring academia, industry, and governments to become more focused and systematic about innovation in the services sector. * Universities are beginning to create degree programs around Service Science. Missouri State University and IBM announced on September 19, 2007, the first Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in IT Service Management in the U.S. * High Tech software companies are beginning to roll out next generation service platforms using service networks. * Several service consortiums and communities to help drive service innovation across the high technology industry continue to grow. These include the Consortium for Service Innovation as well as the Service, Research & Innovation Community.

Delivery and usage

Service networks are typically delivered as an online or hosted solution, also referred to as software as a service (SaaS) solutions.

References

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Other sources

* Andrew McAfee.Enterprise 2.0: The Dawn of Emergent Collaboration (http://www.wikiservice.at/upload/ChristopheDucamp/McAfeeEntrepriseDeux.pdf) MIT Sloan Management Review Spring 2006, Vol.47 No.3 * Cardoso, J.; Pedrinaci, C. and Leenheer, P. D Open Semantic Service Networks: Modeling and Analysis. In 4th International Conference on Exploring Service Science (IESS 1.3), pages 141-154, Springer, LNBIP, Porto, Portugal, 2013

* Cardoso, J. Modeling Service Relationships for Service Networks. In 4th International Conference on Exploring Service Science (IESS 1.3), pages 114-128, Springer, LNBIP, Porto, Portugal, 2013

* Cardoso, J.; Pedrinaci, C.; Leidig, T.; Rupino, P. and Leenheer, P. D Open semantic service networks. In The International Symposium on Services Science (ISSS 2012), pages 1–15, Leipzig, Germany, 201

* Don Tapscott. Wikinomics (How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything) Penguin Books Ltd, First Published in 2006 by Portfolio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. * Consortium for Service Innovation. The Adaptive Organization Operational Model (http://www.serviceinnovation.org/included/docs/library/programs/ao_opmodel_v1.4.pdf)

External links