Research on Services: From Exploring the “Residual” to Services Science

摘要: Research on services has traveled a long way, starting from category of non-productive spending introduced by A. Smith over the bumpy road three centuries economic thought1 toward new concepts such as science. From being treated residual in national accounts, became dominant most economies. Important lessons have been learned evolutionary process research and some stereotypes about dismantled, which improved apprehension conceptual, methodological analytical level. The sectoral approach explaining development enabled (tertiary sector) to be disentangled industry (secondary agriculture (primary distinguishing features intangibility, non-storability, non-tradability low productivity services. Gradually, with more diversified study coupled technological advancement, heterogeneity was acknowledged, allowing storable, tradable not necessarily consumed simultaneously production. Furthermore, analyses pointed increased linkage between other sectors, broadened understanding beyond boundaries revealed intermediary role service functions economy, companies or public institutions. This is best manifested fact that largest manufacturing seen their businesses shift products services, latter generating bulk turnover.