What Are “Innovation Services” and How Are They Defined in Recent Sources?
From strategic support to value creation: understand the concept that connects specialized consulting with the delivery of new experiences
The term “innovation services” carries a fundamental duality in today’s market—one that goes far beyond traditional consulting. It refers both to the support ecosystem—such as consulting firms, workshops, and R&D labs—that enables companies to innovate internally, and to the final delivery of new, disruptive services to the market.
Unlike standard IT or management services, innovation services focus on intangibility and co-creation, integrating technology, creativity, and processes to help organizations keep pace with the speed of the digital economy and generate real value for customers.
Keep reading to explore a complete overview of this fast-growing concept. By the end of this guide, you will be able to demystify the term, clearly distinguish it from operational services, and understand how to apply this approach—whether to strengthen your innovation culture or to launch services that transform your customer’s experience.
Definition of Innovation Services
General Concept
Innovation services refer to two related ideas:
First, to the services that support an organization’s innovation process, such as specialized consulting, training programs, and workshops.
Second, to new or significantly enhanced services delivered to the end customer.
This definition covers both internal innovation activities and the creation of direct market value.
Academic and Market Perspectives
In academic literature, innovation services are often part of the broader field of service innovation, which goes beyond traditional product-centric innovation.
In the market context, the term includes both consulting practices focused on improving a company’s internal innovation capabilities and disruptive services that reshape business models and customer experiences.
Key Points for Understanding
- Support for internal innovation (e.g., training, ideation).
- New or enhanced services offered to customers.
- Impact across technology, processes, organizational models, and interactions.
Common Activities Within Innovation Services
Supportive Research & Development (R&D)
R&D support ranges from identifying innovation opportunities to executing proof-of-concepts and rapid tests, enabling a continuous pipeline of new solutions.
Design and Incubation
Design thinking activities, prototyping, and incubation are also part of the process, helping teams develop user-centered ideas and create environments that foster collaborative innovation.
Intellectual Property and Commercialization
Managing intellectual property, protecting intangible assets, and designing strategies to commercialize new solutions are essential components of innovation services.
Differences Between Innovation Services, General Consulting, and IT Services
Strategic vs. Operational Orientation
General consulting typically focuses on traditional operational or management solutions, while innovation services have a strategic lens aimed at accelerating innovation and driving continuous transformation.
Focus on Creativity and Co-Creation
Innovation services emphasize deep interaction with clients and teams to co-create solutions—unlike standard IT services, which tend to be more transactional and technically driven.
Multidisciplinary and Integrative Approach
Their multidisciplinary nature blends technological, human, and organizational perspectives, aiming to balance technological innovation with advancements in customer experience and business model design.
Distinctive Characteristics and Practical Examples
Key Characteristics
- Intangibility and the need for direct interaction
- Strong reliance on human capital and organizational knowledge
- Focus on creating customer value through innovative solutions
Concrete Examples
- Consulting firms offering Innovation as a Service (IaaS), with access to labs and expert networks
- Mobile apps that enhance customer experience, such as digital loyalty programs
- Disruptive business models—like Uber and Airbnb—that reshaped traditional industries
- Process innovations, such as high-convenience mobile services
How MJV Delivers Innovation Services
Flexible MJV Iron Platform
MJV Iron is configured according to the specific needs of each project, incorporating organizational development practices and plug-and-play technology integration to ensure agility and customization.
Accelerating Innovation with MJV AiRA
MJV AiRA leverages AI agents to optimize workflow management, automate processes, and increase productivity—supporting innovation at every stage.
Global and Multidisciplinary Expertise
With more than 28 years of experience and a diverse international team, MJV brings together technology, data, design, and agile transformation to elevate innovation within organizations.
Quick Checklist to Identify Innovation Services
- Does the service support or accelerate the organization’s internal innovation process?
- Does it include design, incubation, R&D, or commercialization of new solutions?
- Does it offer an integrated approach across technology, organization, and customer experience?
- Does it go beyond standard consulting or typical IT service delivery?
- Does it promote collaborative interaction and the use of intellectual assets?
Related Questions
What are the benefits of innovation services for companies?
In addition to accelerating the innovation process, these services boost competitiveness, strengthen alignment with market demands, and generate superior value for the end customer.
How do companies hire innovation services?
Typically through specialized consulting firms, advanced digital platforms, or partnerships that provide expertise, methodologies, and tools for continuous innovation.
Are innovation services only for large companies?
No. Although the trend began with large corporations, flexible models like MJV AiRA allow companies of all sizes to accelerate innovation.
What is the difference between product innovation and service innovation?
Service innovation focuses mainly on intangibles, customer experience, and delivery models, while product innovation involves physical, technological, or functional changes to goods.
How do you measure the effectiveness of innovation services?
Through KPIs such as development cycle speed, adoption rate of new solutions, customer satisfaction, and the financial impact of implemented innovations.
What technologies support innovation services?
Artificial intelligence, big data, collaborative platforms, and automation tools are commonly used to increase efficiency and generate insights.
Do innovation services include team training?
Yes. Training and workshops are essential to developing an internal innovation culture and equipping employees with new practices.
What differentiates an innovative service from a traditional one?
An innovative service introduces novelty and added value that transform the customer experience, often breaking established patterns.
How can companies identify opportunities for innovation services?
Through market analysis, customer insights, benchmarking, and collaboration with experts who uncover gaps and improvement opportunities.
What role does intellectual property play in innovation services?
It protects creations and encourages investment in innovation, ensuring lasting competitive advantages.
How can companies ensure internal adoption of innovation services?
By involving leadership, promoting training, clearly communicating benefits, and integrating processes to reduce resistance to change.
Can innovation services be digitalized?
Yes. Many such solutions are now supported by digital platforms that facilitate collaboration, innovation management, and access to specialized resources.
What is the future of innovation services?
A trend toward deeper integration with artificial intelligence, greater emphasis on customer experience, and highly customized models that adapt quickly to market needs.
Accelerate Your Innovation Journey with MJV
Ready to accelerate your innovation journey? Speak with an MJV specialist and discover how to apply artificial intelligence and strategic consulting to transform your business and generate real value.
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