Smart Computing Applications in Crowdfunding

CHAPTER 3

Introduction to Service

The literature about service, in particular service innovation, is certainly not coming to an end with the fading of industry boundaries. On the contrary, since knowledge can be commercialized in multiple ways, we can expect that more and more disembodied or ‘dematerialized’ types of products are on their way. For example, consumers are increasingly seeking ways to satisfy their needs through either services purchase or equipment rental. Indeed, physical artefacts will certainly not disappear, but are expected to play less and less role in the near future. Consequently, a knowledge-based economy will be characterized by two equally important factors: (1) Advanced and sophisticated technological products, and ...