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What Is Different About Digital Strategy? From Quantitative to Qualitative Change

Author

Listed:
  • Ron Adner

    (Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755)

  • Phanish Puranam

    (INSEAD, 138676 Singapore)

  • Feng Zhu

    (Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts 02163)

Abstract

The recent attention paid to the challenge of digital transformation signals an inflection point in the impact of digital technology on the competitive landscape. We suggest that this transition can be understood as a shift from the quantitative advances that have historically characterized digital progress (e.g., Moore’s law, Metcalf’s law) to qualitative changes embodied in three core processes underlying modern digital transformation: representation, connectivity, and aggregation. We consider the implications for firm strategy and raise questions for future strategy research.

Suggested Citation

  • Ron Adner & Phanish Puranam & Feng Zhu, 2019. "What Is Different About Digital Strategy? From Quantitative to Qualitative Change," Strategy Science, INFORMS, vol. 4(4), pages 253-261, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orstsc:v:4:y:2019:i:4:p:253-261
    DOI: 10.1287/stsc.2019.0099
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