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Rethinking the digital transformation in knowledge-intensive services: A technology space analysis

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  • van Meeteren, Michiel
  • Trincado-Munoz, Francisco
  • Rubin, Tzameret H.
  • Vorley, Tim

Abstract

The world is in the midst of a digital transformation. An intensified prevalence and use of digital technologies is fundamentally changing organizations and economies. However, the notion of 'digital transformation' is both theoretically and empirically underspecified. This paper rethinks the digital transformation narrative theoretically by embedding the concept in concurrent debates about technological revolutions and neo-Schumpeterian innovation theory. Empirically, the paper specifies the digital transformation by analysing the technological composition of key start-up and scale-up companies in the knowledge-intensive services sector. Undertaking a technology space analysis of 40,754 start-up and scale-up companies derived from the near real-time Dealroom.co database, we analyse which technologies and application domains are currently converging, distilling of key elements of the digital transformation. The paper concludes that the transmission of digital technologies is often indirect through ‘key enabling technology clusters’ that connect the technological vanguard to application domains.

Suggested Citation

  • van Meeteren, Michiel & Trincado-Munoz, Francisco & Rubin, Tzameret H. & Vorley, Tim, 2022. "Rethinking the digital transformation in knowledge-intensive services: A technology space analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:179:y:2022:i:c:s0040162522001639
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121631
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    2. Xiao Han & Yang Zheng, 2022. "Driving Elements of Enterprise Digital Transformation Based on the Perspective of Dynamic Evolution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-19, August.
    3. Scuotto, Veronica & Tzanidis, Theofilos & Usai, Antonio & Quaglia, Roberto, 2023. "The digital humanism era triggered by individual creativity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    4. Du, Juntao & Shen, Zhiyang & Song, Malin & Zhang, Linda, 2023. "Nexus between digital transformation and energy technology innovation: An empirical test of A-share listed enterprises," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    5. Zhu, Xiumei & Li, Yue, 2023. "The use of data-driven insight in ambidextrous digital transformation: How do resource orchestration, organizational strategic decision-making, and organizational agility matter?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).

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