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SRO JSR de Ruyter, Keeling Yu 2019.pdf (726.26 kB)

Service-sales ambidexterity: evidence, practice and opportunities for future research

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 18:57 authored by Ko de Ruyter, Debbie KeelingDebbie Keeling, Ting Yu
Aligning the service-sales interface within and beyond organizational boundaries is worthwhile, yet many firms are not reaping the rewards of such practice. The managerial need for in-depth insights into the blending of selling and service delivery could be better informed through resolution of current open theoretical debates. This position paper extends the current knowledge base on the service-sales interface in three ways. First, we offer a synopsis of current scholarly progress on blending service delivery with sales and identify contextual conditions that foster effective service-sales ambidexterity. Second, turning to current practice, we use an empirical case study to demonstrate how a multi-national company strategically deploys online learning to bridge structural knowledge and skills gaps within its reseller network to build ambidextrous capacity in the channel and support solution selling. Complementing this human learning approach, we also explore recent advances in machine learning and their impact on the service-sales interface. Third, we blend these academic and practice perspectives to offer a service-sales interface agenda that identifies directions for future research in terms of both the theoretical development of ambidexterity and defining the effective blending of technologies at the service-sales interface that enable ambidexterity in practice.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Journal of Service Research

ISSN

1552-7379

Publisher

SAGE

Page range

1-9

Department affiliated with

  • Strategy and Marketing Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2019-09-09

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-09-09

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2019-09-06

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