This study comprehensively reviews the literature on the service transformation of industrial firms, applying the business model (BM) perspective. Despite the wide use of the BM terminology, a true BM approach to this phenomenon is an emergent trend. We provide a threefold contribution to the research debate. First, we identify the reasons of relevance of such a BM approach to the service transformation phenomenon. Second, based on a reference model, we provide a characterization of the service transformation literature according to the BM perspective, both from the structural and the content standpoints. Third, we outline four future research directions: (i) the comprehensive and detailed structural description of BMs; (ii) the adoption of a differentiated approach to BMs; (iii) the internal and external factors affecting the choice of BMs; (iv) the transition paths.
http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/dzyB62FhCa2eVK7r3iYR/full
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