Design for business innovation: linking the value chains of logistics service and cargo insurance companies by designing a collaborative service infrastructure

Both, the logistics and insurance companies rely on software intensive systems and IT-infrastructure to run their core business operational In recent years IT-improvements have resulted e.g in better tracking and tracing capabilities for the whole logistics industry Designing an interface in this case between the logistics and insurance value chain further enhances visibility and transparency on transportation Though, the design of a large collaborative service infrastructure is a complex task In this paper, we investigate whether design science supports this The research follows design science guidelines creating a message hub based on sensor telematics technologies, which physically links the two value chains The described IT-artefact enables logistics and insurance companies to improve their respective products and solutions with e.g integrated risk management or active process control This demonstrates how design science projects eventually facilitate real business innovation within networked enterprises.