Understanding Inertia in Digital Transformation: A Literature Review and Multilevel Research Framework

Haskamp, Thomas; Dremel, Christian; Marx, Carolin; Uebernickel, Falk

Abstract

The  rise  of  new  digital  technologies  requires  organizations  to  adjust  their  current strategy,  processes  and  product  portfolio,  a  phenomenon  known  as digital transformation.  Organizations undergoing  digital  transformation  face substantial barriers and a  range  of  inertial forces. While inertia has been studied to a great  extent under  the  lens of  organizational  transformation,  digital  transformation provides  a different and  distinct context.  Despite  recent  studies recognizing inertia  as  a  key challenge  for digital  transformation,  inertia remains  poorly  understood, making it harder to develop ways of successfully dealing with it. To address this gap, we conduct a literature  review  on  inertia  in  relation  to digital  transformation.  Our  proposed framework incorporates the antecedents,  key  attributes,  dimensions, moderators,  and consequences of  inertia.  We  conclude with a research agenda offering four avenues for advancing our understanding of inertia in the context of digital transformation to make digital transformation a more effective and successful endeavor.

Keywords
digital transformation; digital innovation; inertia; organizational transformation