Innovation in knowledge-based professional service firms. An integrated conceptual model^*

* This research was carried out in the frame of Programme STAR (2013, L1 Napoli_call2013_23) and financially supported by UniNA and Compagnia di San Paolo.

ABSTRACT

The current paper offers a new conceptual model to understanding innovation processes in professional service firms, to make hidden relationships more explicit and to find out what are the issues still unexplored. The paper employs a systematic literature review, and draws upon original categorizations of extant literature, to identify main processes for each category of PSFs. It unveils connections among a wide range of factors setting a conceptual model for innovation pathways and highlighting neglected questions relevant from both the theoretical and the practical perspectives.

KEYWORDS:

• Professional service firms
• innovation
• knowledge

Notes on contributors

Andrea Tomo is Adjunct Professor of Organization Studies and Organizational Behavior at the Department of Economics, Management, Institutions, University of Naples Federico II, Italy, where he also teaches Negotiation in Complex Organizations. He has been visiting researcher at Cass Business School, Copenhagen Business School and Leuphana University of Luneburg.

Gianluigi Mangia is Full Professor of Organization Studies at the University of Napoli Federico II, Italy, where he currently teaches Organization theory and information systems, and human resources topics. He holds a Ph.D. in Organization and Business Administration from University of Molise. He was visiting scholar at Cardiff Business School, visiting researcher at London School of Economics, and visiting doctoral student at Warwick Business School.

Paolo Canonico is Associate Professor of Organization Studies at University of Napoli Federico II, Italy. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from University of Naples Federico II and a Master of Science in Analysis, Design and Management of Information Systems from The London School of Economics and Political Science (UK).

Stefano Consiglio is Full Professor of Organization and Human Resource Management at the Department of Social Sciences, University of Naples Federico II. His research interests mainly focus on contingent labour and flexibility, human resource management and innovation. He is author of several publications on the change and the increase of the Temporary Work Agency sector in Italy and Europe.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Andrea Tomo http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3013-2827

Notes

* This research was carried out in the frame of Programme STAR (2013, L1 Napoli_call2013_23) and financially supported by UniNA and Compagnia di San Paolo.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Naples “Federico II” and the Foundation “Compagnia di San Paolo”, research program STAR (Sostegno Territoriale alle Attività di Ricerca), code 2013, L1 Napoli_call2013_23.