Thesis work: White-Label Service Contracts: Designing a Scalable Business Model for Volvo Penta

Location: 

Göteborg, SE, 417 15

Position Type:  Student

 

Transport is at the core of modern society. Imagine using your expertise to shape sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. If you seek to make a difference on a global scale, working with next-gen technologies and the sharpest collaborative teams, then we could be a perfect match. 

About us

Volvo Penta is a world-leading supplier of engines and complete power systems for marine and industrial applications. Volvo Penta has developed a global leadership and one of the industry’s strongest brands.


At Volvo Penta the CAE department work with simulation models (FEA, MBD, CFD, 1D, etc.) in close cooperation with the NVH department which work with measurements (vibration, strain, sound, etc.) in test environment (especially at the Volvo Penta Marine Test Center) and in the field.

 

Background:

A recent thesis explored how Volvo Penta can strengthen its position as a service and solution provider by developing service packages and Fleet Management System (FMS) capabilities for terminal operators. The study recommended offering these services as white-label solutions through OEMs. While the service concepts were defined, questions remain regarding commercialization, governance, revenue sharing, adoption barriers, and scalable implementation of white-label service contracts.

Thesis work objective:

To develop a framework for how Volvo Penta can successfully design, commercialize, and scale white-label service contracts through OEM partners while creating value for OEMs, dealers, end customers, and Volvo Penta.

 

Activities:

1.Review literature including previous thesis work on servitization, white-label business models, and industrial service ecosystems.
2.Benchmark leading industrial companies using service-based and outcome-based business models.
3.Conduct interviews with Volvo Penta, OEMs, dealers, and selected end customers.
4.Analyze commercial models including subscription, uptime-based, and revenue-sharing approaches.
5.Develop a governance framework covering customer ownership, data ownership, service delivery, and risk allocation.

Create a business case and implementation roadmap for Volvo Penta.

What’s in it for you?

Qualifications and Personal Profile:

You should have knowledge of

•Servitization, digital services,
•Industrial Marketing and Business Development
•Strategy and Business Models
•Qualitative Research Methods
•Interest in B2B industrial ecosystems

 

Preferred masters program:

Management & Economics of Innovation, Supply Chain Management, Quality & Operations Management, Industrial Engineering & Management, Entrepreneurship & Business Design.

 

Thesis Level: Master (30 ECTS points)

Language: Swedish or English

Starting date: January 2027

Number of students: 1-2 students

Last application date: 20 October 2027

Examiner proposal: if available

Entity: AB Volvo Penta, Gothenburg, Sweden

Ready for the next move?

Contact: 

Natalia Leano Saavedra, Services Development & Support, natalia.leano.saavedra@volvo.com

Abdul Noorullah, Service Owner - Service Contracts, abdul.noorullah@volvo.com


We value your data privacy and therefore do not accept applications via mail. 


Who we are and what we believe in 
We are committed to shaping the future landscape of efficient, safe, and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents across the group’s leading brands and entities.


Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group. Every day, you will be working with some of the sharpest and most creative brains in our field to be able to leave our society in better shape for the next generation. ​We are passionate about what we do, and we thrive on teamwork. ​We are almost 100,000 people united around the world by a culture of care, inclusiveness, and empowerment. 

 

Volvo Penta, a world-leading supplier of engines and complete drive systems for marine and industrial applications, you will be part of a global and diverse team of highly skilled professionals who works with passion, trust each other and embraces change to stay ahead. We make our customers win.

Job Category:  Sales & Services
Organization:  Volvo Penta
Travel Required:  No Travel Required
Requisition ID:  35166

Do we share the same aspirations?

Every day, Volvo Group products and services ensure that people have food on the table, children arrive safely at school and roads and buildings can be constructed. Looking ahead, we are committed to driving the transition to sustainable and safe transport, mobility and infrastructure solutions toward a net-zero society.

Joining Volvo Group, you will work with some of the world’s most iconic brands and be part of a global and leading industrial company that is harnessing automated driving, electromobility and connectivity.

Our people are passionate about what they do, they aim for high performance and thrive on teamwork and learning. Everyday life at Volvo is defined by a climate of support, care and mutual respect.

If you aspire to grow and make an impact, join us on our journey to create a better and more resilient society for the coming generations.