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Beyond the reverse product cycle: An exploration of the digital, social and spatial transformation of libraries11We sincerely thank the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions, which significantly helped enhance our article

Author

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  • Desmarchelier, Benoît
  • Djellal, Faridah
  • Gallouj, Faïz
  • Gallouj, Nassim

Abstract

Focusing on innovation dynamics in public libraries, this article begins by revisiting one of the very first attempts to construct a theory of innovation in services: the reverse product cycle (RPC), published in Research Policy (Barras, 1986, 1990). With reference to ICT-based innovation trajectories in libraries, the article validates the RPC by identifying a cycle that begins with a stage dominated by process innovations, followed by one dominated by product innovations. It goes further by extending – and in some respects updating – the model, taking into account forgotten technologies and introducing new waves of enabling technologies associated with Industry 4.0 and 5.0. The rise of the internet and digitization posed an existential threat to libraries. Their survival, however, is due to their ability to reinvent themselves – transforming this threat into an opportunity, and embracing innovative trajectories that aren't solely ICT-based. These include book-, object-, individual-, and space-based trajectories.

Suggested Citation

  • Desmarchelier, Benoît & Djellal, Faridah & Gallouj, Faïz & Gallouj, Nassim, 2025. "Beyond the reverse product cycle: An exploration of the digital, social and spatial transformation of libraries11We sincerely thank the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions, which significantly helped enhance our article," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(8).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:54:y:2025:i:8:s004873332500126x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2025.105297
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eric von Hippel, 1986. "Lead Users: A Source of Novel Product Concepts," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 32(7), pages 791-805, July.
    2. Faïz Gallouj, 1998. "Innovating in reverse: services and the reverse product cycle," European Journal of Innovation Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 1(3), pages 123-138, December.
    3. Faïz Gallouj, 2002. "Innovation in the Service Economy: the New Wealth of Nations," Post-Print hal-01111977, HAL.
    4. Barras, Richard, 1986. "Towards a theory of innovation in services," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 161-173, August.
    5. Noble, Stephanie M. & Mende, Martin & Grewal, Dhruv & Parasuraman, A., 2022. "The Fifth Industrial Revolution: How Harmonious Human–Machine Collaboration is Triggering a Retail and Service [R]evolution," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 98(2), pages 199-208.
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    7. Barras, Richard, 1993. "Interactive innovation in financial and business services: The vanguard of the service revolution," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 101-102, April.
    8. Desmarchelier, Benoît & Djellal, Faridah & Gallouj, Faïz, 2025. "Innovation in libraries: A service-oriented perspective," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(1).
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