![\"LTAS](\"http:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/LTAS-2015-GROUP-PICTURE_1-1024x600.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
On 9-11 December 2015, the University of Namur<\/strong> (Belgium) and\u00a0its research Center for Consumption and Service\u00a0Research was honored to host\u00a0the fourth edition of \u201cLet\u2019s Talk about Service\u201d (LTAS)<\/strong>, which was organized\u00a0together with\u00a0Ghent University\u2019s Center for Service Intelligence and Antwerp\u00a0University and empowered by SERVSIG.<\/p>\n The central topic of LTAS 2015\u00a0was on \u201cService Research Priorities: How\u00a0to make them happen?”<\/strong><\/em> The choice of this topic\u00a0was driven by\u00a0the recent publication of research priorities in the Journal of Service\u00a0Research (Ostrom et al. 2015).<\/p>\n During a two-day workshop in Namur,\u00a0we welcomed 30 young scholars from 11 different countries. All these\u00a0participants\u00a0were invited to talk about service research with peers and leading\u00a0scholars in our field.<\/p>\n Service\u00a0research priorities as Lego bricks!<\/strong><\/p>\n After\u00a0the lunch break, we had an intensive workshop on the CIT\u00a0methodology, that was\u00a0organized by Prof. Dr. Dwayne Gremler.<\/strong> PhD students were taught the principles\u00a0of the technique,\u00a0and by means of hands-on materials they could practice\u00a0themselves.<\/p>\n Wine-tasting, fireworks,\u00a0Santa Claus and life music during the conference dinner<\/strong><\/p>\n As\u00a0goes with all conferences, networking opportunities are equally important, since\u00a0they foster friendships and new\u00a0research collaborations.<\/p>\n It has\u00a0became a tradition that LTAS offers its participants a surprise networking\u00a0event. This edition\u2019s event started with\u00a0wine-tasting inside the cellars of\u00a0Graf\u00e9 Lecocq in Namur. Before entering the restaurant where we had a lovely\u00a0meal, we\u00a0enjoyed a fireworks spectacle sponsored by IBM. After the dinner, we\u00a0enjoyed life music and even received gifts from two\u00a0Santa Claus who may look\u00a0familiar to you!<\/p>\n 2nd Day: \u201cMake it\u00a0happen\u201d: 6 new research collaborations are born!<\/strong><\/p>\n After\u00a0a short night, the second day kicked off at 8 am.<\/p>\n First,\u00a0Prof. dr. Allard Van Riel<\/strong> explained the format of the workshop based on his\u00a0experience as co-chair of the Nijmegen\u00a0Though Leader Conference that resulted\u00a0in 5 published papers.<\/p>\n Next,\u00a0Prof. dr. Jay Kandampully<\/strong> talked about three research collaboration teams that\u00a0spontaneously emerged after\u00a0previous year\u2019s LTAS workshop.<\/p>\n Here are some first hand impressions from the participants<\/p>\n In\u00a0sum, we really enjoyed the LTAS-workshop and hope that the same goes for our\u00a0participants. A couple of them already\u00a0ensured us that they\u2019ll come back to LTAS\u2026<\/p>\n Next\u00a0year, we will celebrate the 5th edition of LTAS<\/strong>, and Fordham University (New\u00a0York)<\/strong> will host it.<\/p>\n So, already\u00a0save the dates: December, 8-9, 2016!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n www.LetsTalkAboutService.org<\/a><\/p>\n See\u00a0below some impressions of the workshop:<\/p>\n![\"Santa](\"http:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Santa-Claus-organizers_1-300x191.jpg\")
LTAS aims to introduce young\u00a0scholars to the wonderful world of service research and provide guidance for\u00a0their PhD\u00a0journey or early career. Each year, a workshop on a particular\u00a0emerging topic is organized, thereby targeting PhD\u00a0Candidates and Young\u00a0Faculty.<\/p>\n![\"Untitled\"](\"http:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Untitled-300x177.jpeg\")
On the first half day of the LTAS-workshop – Prof. Dr. Parsu\u00a0Parasurman<\/strong> and Prof Dr. Lia Patricio<\/strong> –\u00a0\u00a0two co-authors of the\u00a0research priorities\u00a0article, provided examples of illustrative\u00a0research questions that combined\u00a0different research topics. By\u00a0doing so, the two authors encouraged the\u00a0participants to use the\u00a0research priorities as Lego bricks, thereby mixing and\u00a0matching\u00a0bricks to design a unique and relevant project.<\/p>\n![\"Untitled2.jpeg\"](\"http:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Untitled2.jpeg.jpg\")
Critical Incident Technique (CIT) Seminar<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"Untitled5\"](\"http:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Untitled5.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Untitled5.jpeg\"](\"http:\/\/www.servsig.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Untitled5.jpeg.jpg\")
<\/a>Afterwards,\u00a06 new groups of researchers started discussing and collaborating on diverse\u00a0topics that were identified\u00a0upfront based on applicants\u2019 research proposals and\u00a0the research priorities identified in the Journal of Service Research.\u00a0Each\u00a0group was guided by 2 mentors. We were happy and grateful that eight additional\u00a0scholars (Arne De Keyser, Dominik\u00a0Mahr, Katrien Verleye, Linda Nasr, Mirella\u00a0Kleijnen, Sabine Benoit, Sandra Streukens and Yves Van Vaerenbergh<\/strong>) joined\u00a0forces with the keynote speakers to develop new research projects with the\u00a0younger scholars. After a vivid discussion\u00a0within each team, every group\u00a0presented the team\u2019s ideas and framework to the other participants.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n “Thanks a lot for organizing the amazing LTAS-Workshop. In my entire work life I have never experienced such a warmth, welcoming and supportive atmosphere and never felt so appreciated.\u00a0I am delighted and the event definitely exceeded my expectations \u2026 and as service researchers you know that this is an important objective to have loyal customers :-). hope to see you next year \u00a0at LTAS.”\u00a0<\/em>A<\/span>leksa – <\/strong>Dortmund – Germany ( Ph.D student)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n “I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the wonderful LTAS2015 !\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0I had a wonderful time and experience and couldn’t be happier seeing you and all the participants ! THANK YOU and I hope to see you soon !”<\/em>\u00a0Linda<\/strong> – Manchester – UK ( Mentor)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n “Thank you so much for a very special and great LTAS workshop in Namur!”<\/em>\u00a0Sarah<\/strong> –\u00a0G<\/span><\/span>ermany ( PH.D student)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n