Author: Dr. Martin Keller, PhD (Service Systems Research, University of Amsterdam)
15+ years in qualitative and mixed-methods research on service ecosystems, institutional logics, and organizational value co-creation
The empirical study of Service-Dominant Logic (SDL) in dissertations is not just about applying a framework. It is about understanding how value is co-created across actors, institutions, and systems in real-world settings. This article presents a structured, practitioner-level approach to designing and executing empirical case studies grounded in SDL principles.
Quick Answer: What You Need to Know About SDL Empirical Case Studies
- They focus on value co-creation in real service ecosystems rather than isolated firms
- Case studies are preferred due to contextual and relational complexity
- Data typically includes interviews, observations, documents, and network artifacts
- Strong theoretical alignment with SDL foundational premises is required
- Multi-level analysis (micro–meso–macro) is essential
- Institutional and contextual factors shape interpretation of findings
Understanding the Empirical Logic of Service-Dominant Logic
Short answer
SDL empirical research focuses on observing how value is co-created through interactions between actors in service systems, rather than measuring isolated outputs.
Explanation
Unlike traditional goods-dominant perspectives, SDL requires researchers to shift from static variables to dynamic interactions. The empirical focus is on processes such as resource integration, institutional arrangements, and service exchange mechanisms.
Example
A healthcare ecosystem study may analyze how hospitals, digital platforms, patients, and insurers co-create treatment pathways instead of evaluating hospital efficiency alone.
| Traditional Logic | Service-Dominant Logic |
|---|---|
| Firm produces value | Value is co-created with actors |
| Static performance metrics | Dynamic interaction processes |
| Isolated units of analysis | Service ecosystems |
Researchers needing structured dissertation assistance can request support for empirical SDL study design and analysis here, especially when working with complex multi-actor datasets.
Choosing the Right Case Study Design
Short answer
Case study design in SDL research depends on whether the focus is exploratory, explanatory, or theory-building.
Explanation
Most SDL dissertations use multiple-case designs to capture variation across service systems. The aim is not generalization in a statistical sense but analytical replication.
Example
A study comparing digital banking ecosystems in Finland and Germany to examine institutional differences in value co-creation mechanisms.
| Design Type | Purpose | SDL Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Single Case | Deep contextual insight | Healthcare system transformation |
| Multiple Case | Pattern identification | Fintech ecosystem comparison |
| Embedded Case | Multi-level analysis | Platform-based service networks |
Data Collection in SDL Empirical Research
Short answer
SDL case studies rely on multi-source qualitative and relational data rather than single-method datasets.
Explanation
The complexity of service ecosystems requires triangulation across interviews, observations, and documentary evidence. Data should capture both actor perspectives and system-level interactions.
Example Sources
- Semi-structured interviews with ecosystem actors
- Organizational documents and policy frameworks
- Platform interaction logs or service traces
- Field observations in service environments
| Data Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Interviews | Actor interpretation of value co-creation |
| Documents | Institutional and governance context |
| Observations | Real-time interaction dynamics |
Analyzing Service Ecosystem Data
Short answer
Analysis focuses on identifying interaction patterns, resource integration mechanisms, and institutional logics.
Explanation
Rather than coding for themes only, SDL analysis often combines thematic coding with system mapping and relational analysis. This helps identify how actors co-create value over time.
Example
A mobility platform study may reveal how users, regulators, and platform providers negotiate service access rules dynamically.
| Analysis Layer | Focus |
|---|---|
| Micro | Individual actor interactions |
| Meso | Organizational collaboration |
| Macro | Institutional environment |
REAL VALUE BLOCK: How SDL Empirical Research Actually Works
Core Mechanism: SDL empirical research works by tracing how value emerges through interactions between actors exchanging operant resources (knowledge, skills, capabilities) within institutional structures.
Key Decision Factors:
- Whether interactions are stable or evolving
- How institutional rules shape participation
- Which actors control resource integration
- How value outcomes are defined by stakeholders
What actually matters:
- Interaction sequences, not static outcomes
- Relational dependencies across actors
- Contextual constraints (legal, cultural, technological)
Common mistakes:
- Reducing SDL to a marketing framework
- Ignoring institutional context
- Over-simplifying multi-actor dynamics
- Focusing only on firm-level outcomes
Teaching angle: Think of SDL as studying “how systems negotiate value over time,” not “who creates value.”
What Others Often Miss in SDL Dissertation Research
- Over-reliance on theoretical description without empirical grounding
- Lack of multi-level analysis (micro–meso–macro integration)
- Insufficient attention to institutional dynamics
- Weak justification of case selection logic
- Failure to connect data to SDL foundational premises
The strongest dissertations explicitly show how empirical evidence modifies or extends SDL theoretical assumptions rather than simply applying them.
Practical Checklists for SDL Empirical Studies
Checklist 1: Case Selection
- Does the case represent a service ecosystem?
- Are multiple actors involved in value co-creation?
- Is there observable interaction over time?
- Can data be triangulated across sources?
Checklist 2: Data Quality
- Do data sources reflect multiple perspectives?
- Is temporal change captured?
- Are institutional factors documented?
- Is there evidence of interaction processes?
Empirical Patterns in SDL Research (Observed Trends)
- Approximately 70% of recent SDL dissertations use qualitative case study methods
- Multi-case designs are increasing due to ecosystem complexity
- Digital platforms are the most frequently studied empirical context
- Healthcare and fintech dominate applied SDL research domains
Brainstorming Questions for Dissertation Development
- How do actors negotiate value definitions in service ecosystems?
- What mechanisms enable resource integration across institutions?
- How do digital platforms reshape traditional service relationships?
- What role does regulation play in co-creation processes?
- How does value perception change across stakeholders?
Methodological Pitfalls in SDL Case Studies
- Confusing descriptive data with explanatory insight
- Ignoring temporal dynamics of service systems
- Underdeveloped theoretical linkage to SDL premises
- Overgeneralization from single-case findings
A strong dissertation explicitly shows how empirical evidence challenges or refines theoretical expectations rather than simply confirming them.
Integration with Dissertation Structure
SDL empirical case studies should align with broader dissertation architecture, especially theoretical framing and methodological design.
Checklist: Writing Strong SDL Empirical Chapters
- Clearly define service ecosystem boundaries
- Explain actor roles and resource integration
- Show evidence of interaction processes
- Connect findings to SDL foundational logic
- Use multi-level interpretation consistently
FAQ: Service-Dominant Logic Empirical Case Studies
What is an SDL empirical case study?
It is a qualitative research approach that examines how value is co-created within service ecosystems through real-world interactions.
Why are case studies used in SDL research?
Because SDL focuses on dynamic, contextual interactions that cannot be captured through purely quantitative methods.
What data is typically used?
Interviews, observations, documents, and digital interaction records are commonly used to capture ecosystem behavior.
How many cases are needed?
Many dissertations use 2–5 cases to allow for comparative analysis and pattern identification.
What is a service ecosystem in SDL?
A network of interconnected actors who integrate resources to co-create value.
How do you analyze SDL data?
Through thematic coding, system mapping, and relational interpretation across multiple levels of analysis.
What is the biggest challenge in SDL research?
Capturing complex interactions without oversimplifying system dynamics.
Can SDL be applied to digital platforms?
Yes, digital ecosystems are one of the most common SDL research contexts.
What is resource integration?
The process by which actors combine skills, knowledge, and tools to create value.
What are operant resources?
Dynamic resources like knowledge and capabilities that act on other resources.
How do institutions affect SDL systems?
They define rules, norms, and constraints shaping interaction patterns.
What makes an SDL dissertation strong?
Clear theoretical grounding, rich empirical data, and multi-level analysis.
Is SDL suitable for quantitative research?
It is primarily qualitative but can be combined with quantitative methods in mixed designs.
What is a common mistake in SDL dissertations?
Treating value as a static outcome instead of a dynamic process.
How can I structure my SDL dissertation effectively?
By aligning theory, methodology, and empirical chapters into a coherent multi-level framework.