Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore enhancing theory development in service research and provide an overview of the five essays on theorizing initiated by the International Network for Service Research workshop, held at Karlstad, Sweden in September 2014. Design/methodology/approach - A collaborative theorizing process which was initiated at the Karlstad, Sweden workshop. Findings - Six (five from the event and the introduction) original and provocative essays that explore different aspects of theorizing in service research. Originality/value - Exploring how a collaborative approach to research can be used.