Implementing manufacturing-as-a-service (MaaS): an integrated framework bridging providers and consumers

As mass customization becomes more widespread, manufacturers are adopting servitization strategies like Manufacturing-as-a-Service (MaaS), where firms with underused resources provide production capabilities to companies with flexible, demand-driven needs. However, adopting MaaS involves complex strategic and operational decisions that differ between service providers and consumers. This study introduces a novel integrated framework to guide both actors through the full MaaS implementation process. Based on a thorough literature review, the framework organizes the decision-making journey into four sequential steps: strategic considerations, process representation, infrastructure adoption, and service evaluation. Each step includes targeted sub-questions to address the specific needs of providers and consumers. The framework synthesizes existing knowledge, identifies enabling tools, and highlights current gaps in research and industry practice. To demonstrate its relevance and internal consistency, preliminary industrial testing is conducted, which confirms the framework's ability to support transparent, structured, and goal-oriented decisions across different scenarios. By offering a dual-perspective approach that spans the full MaaS adoption cycle, the study addresses critical gaps in the literature and provides a robust foundation for future empirical research and industrial implementation.