Together they are Strong: the Quest for Service Modularization parameters

This research-in-progress paper deals with service modularization of complex services. The successful creation of powerful modules allow leveraging modularization benefits such as reuse, faster development, module-wide innovation, and rapid reconfiguration. Consequently, service provider efficiencies as well as user centricity can be realized. Therefore, the principles of modularization, i.e. cohesion and loose coupling, need to reflect interdependencies between the “right” attributes. These attributes, e.g. know-how specificity or IT support, serve two functions. First, they are attributes of the underlying processes that make up the service which needs to be modularized. Second, they serve as candidates for modularization parameters. The paper’s research setting comprises expert workshops and in which modularization parameters are applied. As a first result, I (1) suggest a set of mandatory modularization parameters that are derived from the literature and (2) call for domain-specific extensions. Thus, I contribute to service modularization research by providing the ingredients (modularization parameters) for the recipe (the overall method) for systematic service modularization of complex services. Thus, I also assist service providers in their modularization attempts which might be in need of “ingredients” as well and thereby make a contribution to practice.