1 More productive through cross-linking: the strategic partnership “Productivity of Services”

The increasing pressure of competition felt by service companies requires them constantly to improve the services they offer and how they provide them. The keyword for professionalism is productivity. However, how can service productivity be measured, assessed, developed and ultimately im-proved? Only a few businesses have managed to answer this question satisfactorily. Researchers have barely succeeded in identifying solutions either. Fraunhofer IAO has brought together many experts, primarily from business and research circles, into a strategic partnership entitled “Productivity of Services ” in order to give the German services sector and services researchers a pioneering role on the international stage. 1