Applied research project studying changes in managerial practices in the context of a servitization strategy in the mobility sector.
The Brussels economy is largely dominated by the service sector. To remain competitive in this context, companies in all sectors are rethinking their business model by integrating a service offering. This phenomenon, known as the "servicization" of activities, can be characterized as one of the major trends of the 21st century within organizations, and represents a major managerial challenge for which managers are still at a loss in terms of concrete practices. The aim of this thesis project is to provide some answers to this challenge, based on the pioneering initiative of a Brussels-based company active in the field of mobility. The thesis raises the question of how managerial practices evolve in a context of transition to a business model seen as more sustainable, and what type of management is produced?
Context
The thesis takes the form of a 4-year ethnography of the D'Ieteren Automotive organization. The doctoral researcher will spend 50% of her time in this organization and the remainder in one of the two academic institutions (ICHEC/UCLouvain). The ambition is to study managerial practices longitudinally, and to understand what tensions in terms of responsible management may emerge during such a business model change. The thesis questions the link between 'doing' sustainability (through more fluid and sustainable mobility, and for D'Ieteren, through the diversification of services) and 'managing' in a more sustainable/responsible way.
Needs addressed
To deepen knowledge of responsible management by identifying its characteristics and practices, and to understand under what conditions servitization contributes to the creation of sustainable performance, and therefore to determine to what extent servitization is an opportunity or a threat for responsible management. Finally, the thesis questions the complexity for for-profit organizations of bringing a vision of sustainability to life, and sheds light on this implementation and its aims.
Expected results
This thesis aims to: (1) provide a missing contribution to the emerging fields of responsible management and servitization; (2) identify actionable knowledge that can support managers in leading their teams in a servitization context; and (3) co-design a support approach for managers faced with servitization from a responsible management perspective.
Financing
Brussels Capital Region - Innoviris (Applied PhD)
