Business streamlining
a theory of service sourcing
Time: Mon 2025-06-09 13.00
Location: Kollegiesalen, Brinellvägen 8, Stockholm
Video link: https://kth-se.zoom.us/j/68339236392
Language: Swedish
Subject area: Business Studies
Doctoral student: Jonas Molin , Fastighetsföretagande och finansiella system
Opponent: Professor Enrico Baraldi, Uppsala universitet
Supervisor: Professor Björn Berggren, Fastighetsföretagande och finansiella system; Zahra Ahmadi, ; Associate Professor Zahra Ahmadi, Högskolan i Gävle; Professor Lars-Johan Åge, Högskolan i Gävle
QC 20250512
Abstract
Purpose:
The overarching purpose of this thesis is to develop an integrated conceptual model ofservice sourcing.Design/methodology/approach: The four articles of the thesis are divided into a generative phase and a validation phase. The generative phase refers to a longitudinal case study approach where Glaserian grounded theory analysis is applied in the development of business streamlining (BS model) a substantive theory of service sourcing (article I). Article IV suggests and reflects ona structured methodological strategy for dealing with large amounts of qualitative data. The validation phase refers to the quantitative validation of the BS model where confirmatory factory analysis (article II) and mediating process analysis (article III) is applied.
Findings: In the generative phase business streamlining was found to be the core process of service sourcing. BS denotes the process by which four interrelated dimensions are managed to make service sourcing processes simpler, more effective and/or productive. The validation phase confirmed the BS model to be significant overall, meaning that it is likely to be applicable irrespective of the service sourcing context being simple or complex. In addition, the category ofefficiency pursuing (EP) was found to have an interlinking role that called for a revision of the BSmodel (Article II).
Article III delves deeper into researching the relative role of the subcategories of EP explaining the logics of EP´s role in BS.
Research limitations/implications: Although the BS model has been developed and tested through the use various methods further research could be conducted delving deeper into the rolesof the subcategories of main categories. Thus, further studies should examine the relative significance of categories in different service-sourcing contexts. Follow up surveys could also add a valuable longitudinal element to the cross-sectional survey. Practical implications: The thesis support that the BS model is flexible and adaptable to a wide range of service sourcing circumstances. Irrespective of the relative complexity of facility management (FM) sourcing processes, the categories can be dynamically adapted to fit different service sourcing contexts. Thus, the BS model is likely to apply for a wide range of services and, can be used as a tool to analyse and facilitate strategic decision-making.
Originality/value: Business streamlining integrates the fragmented field of service sourcing in a novel way.