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What do we really know about services?

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Abstract

The inherent characteristics of services are well-known but do we really understand what services are, how services form an essential part of most products produced and delivered today, how services can enhance differentiation, competitiveness and help drive innovation and regional economic development? Sadly despite some 30 years of endeavour the answer is no, and so we need to consider how this problem can realistically be addressed by identifying the key services themes which need intensive long-term research.

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  1. School of Management and Business, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DD, UK

    Gary Akehurst

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  1. Gary Akehurst
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Correspondence to Gary Akehurst.

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Akehurst, G. What do we really know about services?. Service Business 2, 1–15 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11628-006-0015-6

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