VSTE
Littera Scripta

ISSN (online): 1805-9112

Open access

Capabilities for smart services in manufacturing companies

Lucie Kaňovská1*

  1. Brno University of Technology, Institute of Management, Faculty of Business and Management, Kolejní 2906/4, Brno, Czechia

* Corresponding author: kanovska@fbm.vutbr.cz

Abstract

A lot of manufacturing companies supply their tangible products accompanied with suitable services to their customers. Currently also smart services are being added to their service offerings. Applying the change toward smart services is not easy, especially in SMEs where many of businesses fight with lack of money, insufficient digital technologies or unskilled employees. The aim of the paper is focused on significant capabilities of SMEs, which are crucial for smart service provision in manufacturing companies. To fulfil the research aim, a qualitative multi-case study was conducted among seven Czech electrotechnical SMEs, which have already started with smart service development. The findings show that respondents consider wide range of possible capabilities, which could be divided into three main categories, such as technical equipment, internal readiness and knowledge and involvement of customers.

Keywords:capabilitiesservitizationsmart servicesSMEselectrotechnical manufacturers.

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