The evolution and discovery of services science in business schools

The growth of services in economies around the world has vast implications for business practice, academic knowledge creation, and education. Service industries have dominated the U.S. and other established economies for decades. Increasingly, manufacturers and IT companies are also shifting to a focus on services as growth and profit engines for their companies. Many contend that future success (for companies, whole economies, and personal quality of life) depends on service innovation across industries. We are among a small group of academics worldwide who have devoted their careers to the study of services. We are co-directors of the Center for Services Leadership (http://www.wpcarey.asu. edu/cs1) at Arizona State University, the first academic center devoted to research and education in services management. Within business schools in general, however, the resources devoted to services management have not been commensurate with the economic importance of services. Similarly, while there are isolated degree programs and executive education offerings for services management, the number of such programs is surprisingly small.