Research at Karlstad University Business School is more and more assuming a role in the academic world while their new insights and results are usefully applied in companies around the world.

Besides disciplinary research in economics and business administration, for instance, there is also the Center for Service Research (CTF) with a focus on value creation through service. Key research areas are service development and innovation, dynamic customer relations and organisation.

An important field is the ‘servicification' of the manufacturing industries. Products become components in a service concept. This permeates business development in all industrial branches. Another concept is quality and service development in public transport systems. Here we find SAMOT, the Service and Market Oriented Transport Group, which is a Vinn Excellence Centre supported by Vinnova among others.

CTF's research and focus is unique in Europe and receives a great deal of attention internationally. Fifty researcher and PhD candidates with qualifications in mainly business administration, economics, psychology and working life science work together.