ICBS 25 – Advancing Data-Enabled & Sustainable Services Research

The Dining Flow research team was proud to be represented at the 12th International Conference on Business Servitization (ICBS 2025), held on 6–7 November 2025 in Bilbao, Spain.

Our researchers Junsong He and Ecem Akar Ertem presented two studies that contribute an industrial engineering and service research perspective to the development of both digitally enabled and sustainability-oriented services. Both papers were co-authored with Miia Martinsuo and Carolina Islas Sedano.

Developing Data-Enabled Services in a Service Network, presented by Junsong He, examines how companies build capabilities to design and deliver data-enabled services in B2B service networks. Rather than focusing on a single company, the study highlights how firms collaborate with customers, software and hardware suppliers, and solution integrators to jointly advance digitalization and capability development. Integrating Sustainability Value in Services: Perceptions and Practices, presented by Ecem Akar Ertem, explores how companies perceive and integrate sustainability value during service development. The study emphasizes the role of decision-makers and shows how their perception shapes whether sustainability becomes measurable, actionable, and embedded in service offerings.

ICBS 2025 provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with the global servitization community, exchange perspectives on digital servitization and sustainable value, and receive constructive feedback on both studies. We are grateful to the organizers, discussants, and all participants for the rich discussions and inspiration. We look forward to continued dialogue and future collaborations.