IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jbrese/v191y2025ics0148296325000761.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Stepping in and stepping aside: Employees navigating digital transformation paradoxes

Author

Listed:
  • Kratochvil, Renate

Abstract

We explore how employees with a positive attitude towards digital transformation navigate organizational paradoxes. Companies can manage paradoxes by employing a “both/and” approach. However, this strategy might not translate well to the day to day work of the employee, who jumps between tasks which often lie at opposite poles of the paradox. Using qualitative data from a construction company in the gradual process of transforming, we inductively reveal two types of employees, followers and explorers. These employees enact practices of stepping in and stepping aside, in that they are both proactive and task-intrinsic, reactive and accepting, in such a way as to be able to continue contributing to the digital transformation. We shed light on the importance of uncovering the tactical practices used by employees in their day to day work in order to be able to navigate organizational paradoxes and thus promote the long-term success of the digital transformation.

Suggested Citation

  • Kratochvil, Renate, 2025. "Stepping in and stepping aside: Employees navigating digital transformation paradoxes," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:191:y:2025:i:c:s0148296325000761
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115253
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0148296325000761
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115253?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. Dieste, Marcos & Sauer, Philipp C. & Orzes, Guido, 2022. "Organizational tensions in industry 4.0 implementation: A paradox theory approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    2. Jonathan Wareham & Paul B. Fox & Josep Lluís Cano Giner, 2014. "Technology Ecosystem Governance," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 25(4), pages 1195-1215, August.
    3. Saouré Kouamé & Ann Langley, 2018. "Relating microprocesses to macro‐outcomes in qualitative strategy process and practice research," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(3), pages 559-581, March.
    4. Bouckenooghe, Dave & Schwarz, Gavin M. & Kanar, Adam & Sanders, Karin, 2021. "Revisiting research on attitudes toward organizational change: Bibliometric analysis and content facet analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 135(C), pages 137-148.
    5. 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.
    6. Hess, Thomas & Matt, Christian & Benlian, Alexander & Wiesböck, Florian, 2016. "Options for Formulating a Digital Transformation Strategy," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 81032, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    7. Madeleine Rauch & Shahzad (Shaz) Ansari, 2022. "Waging War from Remote Cubicles: How Workers Cope with Technologies That Disrupt the Meaning and Morality of Their Work," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 33(1), pages 83-104, January.
    8. Kratochvil, Renate, 2025. "The process of framing innovation activities: How strategic leaders erode their ideas for radical innovations," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(1).
    9. Christofi, Michael, 2024. "The role of chief digital officer: Critical insights into an emerging field and road map for future research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    10. Kalle Lyytinen & Mike Newman, 2008. "Explaining information systems change: a punctuated socio-technical change model," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(6), pages 589-613, December.
    11. Haffar, Mohamed & Al-Karaghouli, Wafi & Djebarni, Ramdane & Al-Hyari, Khalil & Gbadamosi, Gbolahan & Oster, Fiona & Alaya, Amer & Ahmed, Abir, 2023. "Organizational culture and affective commitment to e-learning’ changes during COVID-19 pandemic: The underlying effects of readiness for change," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PA).
    12. Canhoto, Ana Isabel & Clear, Fintan, 2020. "Artificial intelligence and machine learning as business tools: A framework for diagnosing value destruction potential," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 63(2), pages 183-193.
    13. Verhoef, Peter C. & Broekhuizen, Thijs & Bart, Yakov & Bhattacharya, Abhi & Qi Dong, John & Fabian, Nicolai & Haenlein, Michael, 2021. "Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 889-901.
    14. Tobias Hahn & Jonatan Pinkse & Lutz Preuss & Frank Figge, 2015. "Tensions in Corporate Sustainability: Towards an Integrative Framework," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 127(2), pages 297-316, March.
    15. Noel Carroll & Nik Rushdi Hassan & Iris Junglas & Thomas Hess & Lorraine Morgan, 2023. "Transform or be transformed: the importance of research on managing and sustaining digital transformations," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(3), pages 347-353, May.
    16. Lieselot Danneels & Stijn Viaene, 2022. "Identifying Digital Transformation Paradoxes," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 64(4), pages 483-500, August.
    17. Jan Jöhnk & Philipp Ollig & Patrick Rövekamp & Severin Oesterle, 2022. "Managing the complexity of digital transformation—How multiple concurrent initiatives foster hybrid ambidexterity," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(2), pages 547-569, June.
    18. Hess, Thomas & Matt, Christian & Benlian, Alexander & Wiesböck, Florian, 2016. "Options for Formulating a Digital Transformation Strategy," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 82423, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    19. Dennis A. Gioia & Kumar Chittipeddi, 1991. "Sensemaking and sensegiving in strategic change initiation," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(6), pages 433-448, September.
    20. Plekhanov, Dmitry & Franke, Henrik & Netland, Torbjørn H., 2023. "Digital transformation: A review and research agenda," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 41(6), pages 821-844.
    21. Oludapo, Samson & Carroll, Noel & Helfert, Markus, 2024. "Why do so many digital transformations fail? A bibliometric analysis and future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    22. Haffke, Ingmar & Kalgovas, Bradley & Benlian, Alexander, 2017. "The Transformative Role of Bimodal IT in an Era of Digital Business," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 85252, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    23. Jan Stentoft & Christopher Rajkumar, 2020. "The relevance of Industry 4.0 and its relationship with moving manufacturing out, back and staying at home," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(10), pages 2953-2973, May.
    24. Jahanmir, Sara F. & Cavadas, Joana, 2018. "Factors affecting late adoption of digital innovations," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 337-343.
    25. André Hanelt & René Bohnsack & David Marz & Cláudia Antunes Marante, 2021. "A Systematic Review of the Literature on Digital Transformation: Insights and Implications for Strategy and Organizational Change," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(5), pages 1159-1197, July.
    26. 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).
    27. 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).
    28. Stella Pachidi & Hans Berends & Samer Faraj & Marleen Huysman, 2021. "Make Way for the Algorithms: Symbolic Actions and Change in a Regime of Knowing," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 32(1), pages 18-41, January.
    29. Abayomi Baiyere & Hannu Salmela & Tommi Tapanainen, 2020. "Digital transformation and the new logics of business process management," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(3), pages 238-259, May.
    30. Omar A. El Sawy & Arvind Malhotra & YoungKi Park & Paul A. Pavlou, 2010. "Research Commentary ---Seeking the Configurations of Digital Ecodynamics: It Takes Three to Tango," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 21(4), pages 835-848, December.
    31. Youngjin Yoo & Ola Henfridsson & Kalle Lyytinen, 2010. "Research Commentary ---The New Organizing Logic of Digital Innovation: An Agenda for Information Systems Research," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 21(4), pages 724-735, December.
    32. Deist, Maximilian K. & McDowell, William C. & Bouncken, Ricarda B., 2023. "Digital units and digital innovation: Balancing fluidity and stability for the Creation, Conversion, and Dissemination of sticky knowledge," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Plekhanov, Dmitry & Franke, Henrik & Netland, Torbjørn H., 2023. "Digital transformation: A review and research agenda," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 41(6), pages 821-844.
    2. Oludapo, Samson & Carroll, Noel & Helfert, Markus, 2024. "Why do so many digital transformations fail? A bibliometric analysis and future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    3. Cong Cheng & Hongfang Cui, 2024. "Combining digital and legacy technologies: firm digital transformation strategies—evidence from Chinese manufacturing companies," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Daniel Beverungen & Thomas Hess & Antonia Köster & Christiane Lehrer, 2022. "From private digital platforms to public data spaces: implications for the digital transformation," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(2), pages 493-501, June.
    5. Di Ye & Bin Xu & Bingling Wei & Linlin Zheng & Yenchun Jim Wu, 2024. "Employee work engagement in the digital transformation of enterprises: a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
    6. Ologeanu-Taddei, Roxana & Hönigsberg, Sarah & Weritz, Pauline & Wache, Hendrik & Mittermeier, Ferdinand & Tana, Silviana & Dang, Duong & Hautala-Kankaanpää, Tuire & Pekkola, Samuli, 2025. "The relationship of digital transformation and corporate sustainability: Synergies and tensions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    7. 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).
    8. Elia, Gianluca & Solazzo, Gianluca & Lerro, Antonio & Pigni, Federico & Tucci, Christopher L., 2024. "The digital transformation canvas: A conceptual framework for leading the digital transformation process," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 67(4), pages 381-398.
    9. Lei Guo & Luying Xu, 2021. "The Effects of Digital Transformation on Firm Performance: Evidence from China’s Manufacturing Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-18, November.
    10. Swen Nadkarni & Reinhard Prügl, 2021. "Digital transformation: a review, synthesis and opportunities for future research," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(2), pages 233-341, April.
    11. Jinqiu He & Huiwen Su, 2022. "Digital Transformation and Green Innovation of Chinese Firms: The Moderating Role of Regulatory Pressure and International Opportunities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-21, October.
    12. Zhang, Sihan & Chen, Zhibin, 2025. "Experts on the board: How do IT-savvy directors promote corporate digital innovation?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 791-817.
    13. 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.
    14. Weber, Ellen & Büttgen, Marion & Bartsch, Silke, 2022. "How to take employees on the digital transformation journey: An experimental study on complementary leadership behaviors in managing organizational change," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 225-238.
    15. Marco Cioppi & Ilaria Curina & Barbara Francioni & Elisabetta Savelli, 2023. "Digital transformation and marketing: a systematic and thematic literature review," Italian Journal of Marketing, Springer, vol. 2023(2), pages 207-288, June.
    16. 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).
    17. Li, Min & Liu, Na & Kou, Aiju & Chen, Wenchuan, 2023. "Customer concentration and digital transformation," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    18. Stockhinger, Jan & Teubner, Alexander, 2019. "How digitalization drives the IT/IS strategy agenda," ERCIS Working Papers 31, University of Münster, European Research Center for Information Systems (ERCIS).
    19. Wang, Sai & Wen, Wen & Niu, Yuhao & Li, Xin, 2024. "Digital transformation and corporate labor investment efficiency," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    20. Pi-Hui Chung & Cheng-Yu Lee, 2024. "The Attitude of Family Firms Toward Digital Transformation: From the Organizational Learning Perspective," Advances in Management and Applied Economics, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 14(4), pages 1-2.

    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:191:y:2025:i:c:s0148296325000761. 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.