Modularization in business service innovations

We argue that four service innovation mechanisms by Gallouj and Weinstein imply that services are modular offerings. In this comparative case study, we look at four knowledge-intensive business service innovations to further understand the nature of modularization in services. Our findings indicate that modularization was used primarily for systematization and innovation purposes, and the preferred way of customization was tailoring. A broad range of modularity types can be found in services, and modules are typically fitted. We evaluate the usefulness of the existing typologies for services, and find them important but too straightforward for services as such, and difficult to implement due to inseparability and intangibility characteristics.