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A Bridge to the Future of Service Research | Frontiers in Service Conference 2023

From Romans to Robots – Service Research in e-motion

Maastricht, Netherlands - The Frontiers in Service Conference 2023, held in the picturesque city of Maastricht, welcomed service researchers from around the globe for a remarkable gathering. Back in 2002, Maastricht University School of Business and Economics (SBE) became the first university outside the United States to host this prestigious event. After 21 years, SBE is proud to have had the honour to host it once again. This opportunity would not have been possible without the Department of Marketing & Supply Chain Management (MSCM) and its commitment to being a leading force in service research. 

The Conference at a Glance

  • More than 350 attendees from across the globe, including 110 doctoral students, came together to share knowledge and ideas
     

  • 220+ parallel presentations created a vibrant platform for researchers to discuss their findings and insights.  

Celebrating Service Research in Maastricht

Held at the historic Tapijnkazerne, the conference provided a platform for exciting keynote sessions, thought-provoking discussions, and cutting-edge research exploration. This year's event highlighted SBE's expertise in service research, as well as the Maastricht Center for Robots (MCR) and Digital Experience Lab (DEXLab).

Ethics and AI

Sustainable Services

Led by service researcher Lerzan Aksoy, a discussion on sustainable service featured Mark Post, the founder of Mosa Meat, who showcased the world's first cultured burger, driving sustainable food systems forward. Nancy Bocken, a professor in Sustainable Business, emphasized the importance of minimizing environmental harm within service industries. 

Frontiers 23 - Keynote 3

Meaningful Digital Experiences, Now and in the Future

Saturday's sessions focused on the future of digital experiences. Samuel Fung from Starbucks shared insightful strategies for cultivating meaningful customer connections through digital channels. Meanwhile, the DEXLab team presented research snapshots in biometric, virtual, and augmented reality technologies, revealing the transformative potential of these advancements in enhancing customer experiences.

Frontiers 23 - Fung

Shaping our Future with Service Robots and AI

Sunday's keynote session delved into the world of service robots and AI, which are increasingly becoming integral to our lives. Jochen Wirtz, a renowned service scholar, presented extensive research on the impact of service robots on user interactions across diverse industries. Mike van Rijswijk, CEO and futurologist at Robot Control and Innovation Playground, offered a glimpse into cutting-edge developments in sectors like healthcare and education, leaving attendees inspired and envisioning a futuristic adventure.

Frontiers 23 - Sunday

Keynote highlights

Recognizing Excellence

The conference also celebrated excellence with an awards ceremony and conference dinner at Maastricht's Rebelle. The ceremony was a moment of reflection in which the global community honoured outstanding research achievements.

Frontiers 23 - Rebelle 3

Impressions from our attendees

Assistant Professor, Participant

​​​​​​I wanted to send you a brief "thank you" for organizing a wonderful conference. It is not hyperbole for me to say that it was the best conference I have been to. I know that was because of your hard work and dedication. I wanted you to know that your effort was noticed and appreciated. I will make every effort to attend any conference hosted by Maastricht University in the future, I hope it is sooner than later. ​​​​​​

Alexandru Maris, Organizing Committee

​​​​​​Frontiers in Service Conference 2023 did not seem like a typical academic gathering; it was an extraordinary experience that excited attendees. By transforming the conference into an innovation playground with an eye for detail, it surpassed expectations and fostered a warm connection among researchers from around the globe. ​​​​​​

PhD student, Participant

​​​​​​Amazing, inspiring, and highly valuable insights for research, education and academic careers! A warm welcome to the community  ​​​​​​

Written by Nima Hassanloo & Alexandru Maris

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