IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jbrese/v157y2023ics0148296322010281.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Organizational roles in the context of digital transformation: A micro-level perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Zoppelletto, Alessia
  • Orlandi, Ludovico Bullini
  • Zardini, Alessandro
  • Rossignoli, Cecilia
  • Kraus, Sascha

Abstract

Digital transformation (DT) at the micro level implies organizational changes in roles, individual skills, leadership styles, and managerial approaches. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the individual attitudes and behaviors that lead to DT in organizations. Thus, we investigated DT at the micro level to explain the individuals who manage DT. For this, we developed a multiple-case study of 38 Italian firms by analyzing data regarding seven large firms and 31 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to allow for cross-case analysis. Our findings suggest that approaches differ for managers in SMEs and large firms. In large firms, a “digital transformation conductor” (often called “chief digital officer”) oversees DT processes, whereas in SMEs, there is a “digital transformation peer-tutor” approach to DT. A bottom-up, informal, persuasive, and empathic approach characterizes the peer tutor. However, in large firms, a conductor approach is used to drive the necessary changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Zoppelletto, Alessia & Orlandi, Ludovico Bullini & Zardini, Alessandro & Rossignoli, Cecilia & Kraus, Sascha, 2023. "Organizational roles in the context of digital transformation: A micro-level perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:157:y:2023:i:c:s0148296322010281
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113563
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296322010281
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113563?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Haffke, Ingmar & Kalgovas, Bradley & Benlian, Alexander, 2016. "The Role of the CIO and the CDO in an Organization’s Digital Transformation," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 83358, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    2. Schwarzmüller, Tanja & Brosi, Prisca & Duman, Denis & Welpe, Isabell M., 2018. "How Does the Digital Transformation Affect Organizations? Key Themes of Change in Work Design and Leadership," management revue - Socio-Economic Studies, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 29(2), pages 114-138.
    3. Christopher Durugbo, 2016. "Collaborative networks: a systematic review and multi-level framework," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(12), pages 3749-3776, June.
    4. Ferraris, Alberto & Degbey, William Y. & Singh, Sanjay Kumar & Bresciani, Stefano & Castellano, Sylvaine & Fiano, Fabio & Couturier, Jerome, 2022. "Microfoundations of Strategic Agility in Emerging Markets: Empirical Evidence of Italian MNEs in India," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(2).
    5. Ricarda B. Bouncken & Sascha Kraus & Norat Roig-Tierno, 2021. "Knowledge- and innovation-based business models for future growth: digitalized business models and portfolio considerations," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, January.
    6. Matt, C. & Hess, Thomas & Benlian, Alexander, 2015. "Digital Transformation Strategies," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 75002, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    7. Charles C. Snow & Øystein Devik Fjeldstad & Arthur M. Langer, 2017. "Designing the digital organization," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 6(1), pages 1-13, December.
    8. A. Madrid-Guijarro & Dominique Philippe Martin & D. García-Pérez-De-Lema, 2021. "Capacity of open innovation activities in fostering product and process innovation in manufacturing SMEs," Post-Print hal-03040748, HAL.
    9. Müller, Julian M. & Buliga, Oana & Voigt, Kai-Ingo, 2021. "The role of absorptive capacity and innovation strategy in the design of industry 4.0 business Models - A comparison between SMEs and large enterprises," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 333-343.
    10. Antonia Madrid-Guijarro & Dominique Philippe Martin & Domingo García-Pérez-de-Lema, 2021. "Capacity of open innovation activities in fostering product and process innovation in manufacturing SMEs," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(7), pages 2137-2164, October.
    11. Matt, C. & Hess, Thomas & Benlian, Alexander, 2015. "Digital Transformation Strategies," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 75202, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    12. Guy, Jean-Sébastien, 2019. "Digital technology, digital culture and the metric/nonmetric distinction," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 55-61.
    13. Kraus, Sascha & Durst, Susanne & Ferreira, João J. & Veiga, Pedro & Kailer, Norbert & Weinmann, Alexandra, 2022. "Digital transformation in business and management research: An overview of the current status quo," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    14. Sascha Kraus & Paul Jones & Norbert Kailer & Alexandra Weinmann & Nuria Chaparro-Banegas & Norat Roig-Tierno, 2021. "Digital Transformation: An Overview of the Current State of the Art of Research," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, September.
    15. Ricarda B. Bouncken & Yixin Qiu & Noemi Sinkovics & Wolfgang Kürsten, 2021. "Qualitative research: extending the range with flexible pattern matching," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 251-273, February.
    16. Herbert Endres & Stefan Huesig & Robin Pesch, 2022. "Digital innovation management for entrepreneurial ecosystems: services and functionalities as drivers of innovation management software adoption," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 135-156, January.
    17. Christian Matt & Thomas Hess & Alexander Benlian, 2015. "Digital Transformation Strategies," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 57(5), pages 339-343, October.
    18. Mai Chi Vu & Trang Tran, 2021. "Trust Issues and Engaged Buddhism: The Triggers for Skillful Managerial Approaches," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 169(1), pages 77-102, February.
    19. Guia Bianchi & Francesco Testa & Sara Tessitore & Fabio Iraldo, 2022. "How to embed environmental sustainability: The role of dynamic capabilities and managerial approaches in a life cycle management perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 312-325, January.
    20. Sascha Kraus & Matthias Breier & Sonia Dasí-Rodríguez, 2020. "The art of crafting a systematic literature review in entrepreneurship research," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 1023-1042, September.
    21. Mirella Muhic & Lars Bengtsson, 2021. "Dynamic capabilities triggered by cloud sourcing: a stage-based model of business model innovation," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 33-54, January.
    22. Maroufkhani, Parisa & Tseng, Ming-Lang & Iranmanesh, Mohammad & Ismail, Wan Khairuzzaman Wan & Khalid, Haliyana, 2020. "Big data analytics adoption: Determinants and performances among small to medium-sized enterprises," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    23. Bela Gold, 1983. "Strengthening managerial approaches to improving technological capabilities," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 4(3), pages 209-220, July.
    24. Porfírio, José António & Carrilho, Tiago & Felício, José Augusto & Jardim, Jacinto, 2021. "Leadership characteristics and digital transformation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 610-619.
    25. Ying Song & Octavio Escobar & Unai Arzubiaga & Alfredo De Massis, 2022. "The digital transformation of a traditional market into an entrepreneurial ecosystem," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 65-88, January.
    26. Subramaniam, Mohan & Iyer, Bala & Venkatraman, Venkat, 2019. "Competing in digital ecosystems," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 62(1), pages 83-94.
    27. Evans, Nina & Price, James, 2020. "Development of a holistic model for the management of an enterprise’s information assets," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    28. Fletcher, Gordon & Griffiths, Marie, 2020. "Digital transformation during a lockdown," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    29. Margherita Pagani & Catherine Pardo, 2017. "The impact of digital technology on relationships in a business network," Post-Print hal-02312032, HAL.
    30. Christine Legner & Torsten Eymann & Thomas Hess & Christian Matt & Tilo Böhmann & Paul Drews & Alexander Mädche & Nils Urbach & Frederik Ahlemann, 2017. "Digitalization: Opportunity and Challenge for the Business and Information Systems Engineering Community," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 59(4), pages 301-308, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Guo, Xiaochuan & Li, Mengmeng & Wang, Yanlin & Mardani, Abbas, 2023. "Does digital transformation improve the firm’s performance? From the perspective of digitalization paradox and managerial myopia," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    2. Jiajia Liu & Kexin Zhou & Ye Zhang & Fangcheng Tang, 2023. "The Effect of Financial Digital Transformation on Financial Performance: The Intermediary Effect of Information Symmetry and Operating Costs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-22, March.
    3. Wunnam Basit Issah & Lutfa Tilat Ferdous & Faruk Bhuiyan & Taimur Sharif, 2024. "Digitalisation and environmental management activities: The effects of family ownership`," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4351-4374, July.
    4. Burton Sharon L., 2024. "Securing Tomorrow: Synergizing Change Management and Cybersecurity in the Digital Era," HOLISTICA – Journal of Business and Public Administration, Sciendo, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Reuschl, Andreas J. & Deist, Maximilian K. & Maalaoui, Adnane, 2022. "Digital transformation during a pandemic: Stretching the organizational elasticity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 1320-1332.
    2. Marino-Romero, Jorge Alberto & Palos-Sánchez, Pedro R. & Velicia-Martín, Félix, 2024. "Evolution of digital transformation in SMEs management through a bibliometric analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    3. Fernandez-Vidal, Jorge & Antonio Perotti, Francesco & Gonzalez, Reyes & Gasco, Jose, 2022. "Managing digital transformation: The view from the top," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 29-41.
    4. Ziboud Van Veldhoven & Jan Vanthienen, 2022. "Digital transformation as an interaction-driven perspective between business, society, and technology," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(2), pages 629-644, June.
    5. Sascha Kraus & Paul Jones & Norbert Kailer & Alexandra Weinmann & Nuria Chaparro-Banegas & Norat Roig-Tierno, 2021. "Digital Transformation: An Overview of the Current State of the Art of Research," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, September.
    6. Marija Jović & Edvard Tijan & Doroteja Vidmar & Andreja Pucihar, 2022. "Factors of Digital Transformation in the Maritime Transport Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-18, August.
    7. Singh, Shiwangi & Sharma, Meenakshi & Dhir, Sanjay, 2021. "Modeling the effects of digital transformation in Indian manufacturing industry," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    8. Gong, Cheng & Ribiere, Vincent, 2021. "Developing a unified definition of digital transformation," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    9. Mishra, Deepa Bhatt & Haider, Imran & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Sakib, Md. Nazmus & Malik, Nishtha & Rana, Nripendra P., 2023. "“Better together”: Right blend of business strategy and digital transformation strategies," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    10. Tijan, Edvard & Jović, Marija & Aksentijević, Saša & Pucihar, Andreja, 2021. "Digital transformation in the maritime transport sector," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    11. Michaela Wrede & Vivek K. Velamuri & Tobias Dauth, 2020. "Top managers in the digital age: Exploring the role and practices of top managers in firms' digital transformation," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 41(8), pages 1549-1567, December.
    12. Zahoor, Nadia & Zopiatis, Anastasios & Adomako, Samuel & Lamprinakos, Grigorios, 2023. "The micro-foundations of digitally transforming SMEs: How digital literacy and technology interact with managerial attributes," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    13. Ponzoa, José M. & Gómez, Andrés & Mas, José M., 2023. "EU27 and USA institutions in the digital ecosystem: Proposal for a digital presence measurement index," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    14. Antonio Farías & Christian A. Cancino, 2021. "Digital Transformation in the Chilean Lodging Sector: Opportunities for Sustainable Businesses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-17, July.
    15. Laudien, Sven M. & Reuter, Ute & Sendra Garcia, Francisco Javier & Botella-Carrubi, Dolores, 2024. "Digital advancement and its effect on business model design: Qualitative-empirical insights," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    16. Piepponen, Amanda & Ritala, Paavo & Keränen, Joona & Maijanen, Päivi, 2022. "Digital transformation of the value proposition: A single case study in the media industry," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 311-325.
    17. Maren Gierlich-Joas & Thomas Hess & Rahild Neuburger, 2020. "More self-organization, more control—or even both? Inverse transparency as a digital leadership concept," Business Research, Springer;German Academic Association for Business Research, vol. 13(3), pages 921-947, November.
    18. Florian Wiesböck & Thomas Hess, 2020. "Digital innovations," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(1), pages 75-86, March.
    19. Teubner, Alexander & Stockhinger, Jan, 2020. "IT/IS strategy research and digitalization: An extensive literature review," ERCIS Working Papers 34, University of Münster, European Research Center for Information Systems (ERCIS).
    20. Li, Min & Liu, Na & Kou, Aiju & Chen, Wenchuan, 2023. "Customer concentration and digital transformation," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:157:y:2023:i:c:s0148296322010281. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jbusres .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.