Service as a Commodity: Promoting Platform-Based Retailing of E-Services

Xinyue Zhou, Zhiyong Feng, Jianmao Xiao, Shizhan Chen, Xiao Xue, Hongyue Wu

Abstract: With the comprehensive interconnection in human-cyber-physical systems, e-services are growing rapidly in platform retailing. E-services as the main body of transactions have begun to dominate the construction of retail platforms. In this article, we innovatively call such study views “Service as a Commodity (SaaC).” The variability of e-services and the dynamics of retail markets make it face challenges in economics, management, and information technology. This article starts with the basic and value-related characteristics of e-services to cope with the automated integration and business governance of the everchanging and diverse e-services. We first analyze the value factors and main principles of SaaC. Then, a framework based on a metamodel and microservices is proposed for service integration and management. Finally, a real case of aging healthcare is introduced to prove the practical value. SaaC leads the evolution of the service ecosystem and comprehensively enhances market activity.