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Cambridge Service Alliance

At the forefront of service transformation in the digital era
 

Academic Panel 1 – Summary

How to write a paper in Service Management Journals?  Research Idea, Methodologies, Practical Implications

 1. Idea Generation and Inspiration

  • Diverse Reading: Explore topics beyond your discipline, such as psychology, engineering, or business.
  • Engage with Others: Attend conferences and collaborate with young researchers and industry practitioners.
  • Challenge Norms: Examine counterintuitive or unconventional ideas to identify gaps or overlooked areas.

2. Collaboration and Teamwork

  • Find Complementary Skills: Work with colleagues and students whose strengths balance your weaknesses.
  • Build Trusted Networks: Refine ideas through open discussions with peers.
  • Industry Partnerships: Leverage real-world insights to ground academic questions in practical problems.

3. Research Grants and Funding

  • Refine Through Proposals: Use the process of writing grant applications to clarify research objectives.
  • Collaborative Grants: Partner with interdisciplinary teams to secure large-scale funding.
  • Balance Funding Approaches: Combine funded and non-funded projects to maintain flexibility.

4. Theoretical Grounding and Literature Reviews

  • Start with Theory: Use a clear theoretical framework to guide your research.
  • Map the Field: Conduct systematic literature reviews or meta-analyses to identify gaps and opportunities.

5. Data-Driven Research

  • Adapt to Available Data: Shape your questions around accessible and relevant data sources.
  • Overcome Limitations: Find creative ways to address data constraints without compromising on rigor.

6. The Writing Process

  • Allocate Focused Time: Dedicate specific hours for distraction-free writing.
  • Set Milestones: Break larger projects into smaller, manageable goals.
  • Iterate and Refine: Embrace rewriting as a critical step to enhance clarity and impact.

7. Publishing Strategies

  • Target Early: Choose your target journal early to align your manuscript with their expectations.
  • Understand Preferences: Familiarize yourself with journal-specific preferences and avoid common pitfalls.
  • Balance Ambition with Feasibility: Combine high-impact goals with realistic submissions for career progression.

8. Managing Feedback and Rejection

  • Learn from Rejections: View feedback as an opportunity for improvement.
  • Revise Thoughtfully: Make significant changes before resubmitting to another journal.
  • Emotional Resilience: Celebrate successes and maintain perspective after setbacks.

9. Broader Research Goals

  • Focus on Impactful Themes: Explore societal challenges and emerging trends.
  • Foster Ecosystems: Build research communities through networks, centers, and collaborations.

10. Key Takeaways

  • Stay curious, collaborative, and resilient.
  • Write with precision and clarity, tailoring your work to the intended audience.
  • Embrace feedback and iteration as integral to academic growth

Members of the Panel

Cambridge Service Alliance

Welcome to the Cambridge Service Alliance…

  • A unique global alliance between the University of Cambridge and some of the world’s leading businesses.

  • Help organisations to address the challenges they will face in the next three to five years, through rigorous research, practical tools, insights and education programmes.

  • Learn how other innovative organisations are developing new services through our events

  • Since its inception in 2010 industrial partners have included CEMEX, GEA, IBM, Pearson, Zoetis, HCLTech, Bouygues UK among others.