Creating competitive advantage in industrial services

This article contributes to the marketing literature by identifying key success factors in industrial service markets. In industrial markets, services are becoming critical for the creation of competitive advantage. However, the marketing of these services has received relatively limited attention in the industrial marketing and services marketing literature. In order to close this gap, the authors undertook a qualitative research study to build a specific model of competitive advantage for industrial services. The model identifies three core elements in the creation of superior customer value. Further, three sets of “value drivers” are discussed. Ideas for further research and recommendations for business practitioners are formulated.