Service Value Networks: Delivering Competitive E-Services

Abstract

This chapter addresses service value networks as a key pathway to establishing and likely retaining future strong competitive positioning within a service industry sector. A service value network may be defined as “the flexible, dynamic delivery of a service, and/or product, by a business and its networked, coordinated value chains (supply chains and demand chains working in harmony); such that a value-adding and target-specific service and/or product solution is effectively, and efficiently, delivered to the individual customer in a timely, physical, or virtual manner.” The service value network offers a future pathway for a business to develop its e-supply chain systems. It captures the contacting customer, and integrates the customer’s (virtual e-customer, virtual e-business customer, or physical customer) demands via its virtual or Web site interface into its integrated downstream service networks, seeks solutions, and delivers the appropriate business solutions back to the customer. Value-enhanced business encounter solutions are readily deliverable for targeted customers. The procedure to research and develop a service value network is described.