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Design Principles for Digital Transformation in Traditional SMEs - An Antipodean Comparison

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The Next Wave of Sociotechnical Design (DESRIST 2021)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 12807))

Abstract

Digital transformation (DT) in companies is becoming a focal theme in information systems research and practice. However, we often overlook the transformation in traditional industries, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To address this gap in the literature, we ask, what are the design principles for developing DT methods for SMEs in traditional industries? Using an “antipodean” case comparison of two longitudinal action design research projects in Germany and Australia, we show the intertwined character of the learning and doing cycles of the researcher’s action design research study and the firm’s DT process. We propose five design principles: (DP1) goal orientation, (DP2) iterative character, (DP3) synchronized learning and transfer, (DP4) cyclic transformation and imprinting, and (DP5) impact measurement and revisiting goals. By formalizing learning and design principles, we contribute to the design-oriented knowledge base on DT in traditional SMEs.

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Acknowledgment

PROFUND was supported by a grant from the German Ministry for Research and Education (BMBF), no: 03ZZ0618C.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany

    Sarah Hönigsberg & Barbara Dinter

  2. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Malshika Dias

Authors
  1. Sarah Hönigsberg
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  2. Malshika Dias
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  3. Barbara Dinter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sarah Hönigsberg .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Liechtenstein, Vaduz, Liechtenstein

    Leona Chandra Kruse

  2. University of Liechtenstein, Vaduz, Liechtenstein

    Stefan Seidel

  3. University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway

    Geir Inge Hausvik

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Hönigsberg, S., Dias, M., Dinter, B. (2021). Design Principles for Digital Transformation in Traditional SMEs - An Antipodean Comparison. In: Chandra Kruse, L., Seidel, S., Hausvik, G.I. (eds) The Next Wave of Sociotechnical Design. DESRIST 2021. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 12807. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82405-1_36

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82405-1_36

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-82404-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-82405-1

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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