An ecosystem service-dominant logic? – integrating the ecosystem service approach and the service-dominant logic

Abstract

Natural and business ecosystems are complex and dynamic service systems that interact through the utilization of ecosystem service offerings for human well-being. Currently, natural and business sciences have not developed a shared and common set of service-based terms or concepts for discussing ecosystem service offerings in the process of value co-creation. In this study, the ecosystem service approach was compared with marketing science's service-dominant logic. The terminology and concepts were harmonized, and the two approaches were then integrated into a service-dominant value creation (SVC) framework. The incorporation of natural ecosystems includes accounting for the flow of positive and negative impacts through associated value networks. Therefore, the term value-in-impact was proposed to describe these value flows. A case study of the global forest-based sector was then presented, demonstrating how to discuss current research challenges using the proposed framework. In conclusion, a shared service-dominant approach provides an opportunity for deeper inter-disciplinary discussion between natural and business sciences. This study represents a contribution towards the development of a holistic service science that includes consideration for natural ecosystems. The SVC framework also addresses many of the multidimensional challenges noted by previous sustainability frameworks.

Economics of forest carbon storage and the additionality principle

“…With this notion the definition of services can also be seen applicable to ecosystem services (cf. Matthies et al, 2016).…”

“…Emerging services include service definitions that stem from different fields, such as ecosystem services and services business, mixed definitions combining tangible goods with intangible services or addressing service activities within the manufacturing-processing industries. Recently also the service conceptualizations have been discussed, for example, how services are included in the European-level bioeconomy-related strategies (Pelli et al, n.d.) and how both business ecosystems and natural ecosystems could be considered within a service-dominant value creation framework (Matthies et al, 2016).…”

Economic Performance of Forest Plantations in Vietnam: Eucalyptus, Acacia mangium, and Manglietia conifera

“…Currently, forest plantations are mainly distributed in temperate zones in East Asia, followed by Europe, North America, and Southern and Southeast Asia. The forest plantations are also playing an important role in combating deforestation, climate change, energy crises, supporting livelihood needs, and improving the quality of countries' infrastructures and rural economies [3][4][5][6][7][8][9].…”

Forest Sector Sustainability Communication in Europe: a Systematic Literature Review on the Contents and Gaps

“…Relationships with the forest owners are critical for the forest sector, which is dependent on the availability of raw material for all of its processes [9]. As a result of this dependency, the natural environment can be considered a factor that is both affected by and affects forest sector operations (e.g., [28]). Finally, decisions related to the use nature affect society as a whole, for example, by creating or eliminating recreation possibilities and by changes to the landscape (e.g., [2]), making the general public an important stakeholder group that affects general opinion on the acceptability of forest sector activities.…”