Introduction

The European research network on services and space (RESER) is a network of over 20 research groups and individuals active in services research and policy formulation located in 13 European countries. The network was established in 1988 on the understanding that service occupations and industries were under-researched, especially in relation to their importance in the employment structures of developed market economies. At that time in 1988, very few researchers were involved in the conceptualisation (theoretical and empirical) of the role played by business service activities in regional or local growth. Members of the network have their roots in a variety of disciplines -- economics, business studies, geography, sociology, psychology, political sciences and planning. Most are based in universities, but some work for private firms, as researchers or consultants. Over the last few years, service research has been transformed. It is no longer considered as a novel research undertaken by academics who were considered to be somewhat misguided in no longer accepting the dominance of manufacturing industry. Services approaches have become mainstream in the social science literature whilst at the same time many service specialists no longer identify with the term ‘services’.