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Top managers in the digital age: Exploring the role and practices of top managers in firms' digital transformation

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  • Michaela Wrede
  • Vivek K. Velamuri
  • Tobias Dauth

Abstract

This study explores the role and facilitating actions of top managers in response to the digital transformation. Building on 27 in‐depth interviews with top managers and close associates from large German firms, we find that top managers respond to the digital transformation by engaging in three key actions: understanding digitalization, setting the formal context for digitalization, and leading change. Moreover, findings emphasize that top management team support is essential in firms' digital transformation. Overall, this study contributes novel insights about the consequences of top managers for firms and establishes an initial foundation for investigating top managers in the digital age.

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  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:mgtdec:v:41:y:2020:i:8:p:1549-1567
    DOI: 10.1002/mde.3202
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    2. Huiwen Su & Feiying Cai & Yunting Huang, 2022. "Institutional constraints and exporting of emerging‐market firms: The moderating role of innovation capabilities and digital transformation," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(7), pages 2641-2656, October.
    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. Verma, Pratima & Kumar, Vimal & Yalcin, Haydar & Daim, Tugrul, 2023. "Organizational architecture of strategic entrepreneurial firms for digital transformation: A bibliometric analysis," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    5. Singh, Anjali & Lim, Weng Marc & Jha, Sumi & Kumar, Satish & Ciasullo, Maria Vincenza, 2023. "The state of the art of strategic leadership," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    6. Jafari-Sadeghi, Vahid & Amoozad Mahdiraji, Hannan & Alam, Gazi Mahabubul & Mazzoleni, Alberto, 2023. "Entrepreneurs as strategic transformation managers: Exploring micro-foundations of digital transformation in small and medium internationalisers," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    7. Ren, Ting & Liu, Xin & Ding, Jinqiong, 2023. "Intergenerational dynamics of digital transformation in family firms," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    8. Li, Ganglei & Shao, Yunfei, 2023. "How do top management team characteristics affect digital orientation? Exploring the internal driving forces of firm digitalization," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    9. Zhang, Kaixia & Bu, Caiqi, 2024. "Top managers with information technology backgrounds and digital transformation: Evidence from small and medium companies," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).

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