Towards a critical realist understanding of digital transformation: Results of a structured literature review

Haskamp T.; Dremel C.; Uebernickel F.


Abstract
While digital transformation as a research phenomenon per se gains acceptance in both practice and academia, its precise conceptualization and theoretical underpinnings are discussed. To address these gaps, we propose a critical realist view on Digital Transformation. Building on a literature review on generative mechanisms in digital transformation studies, we show how the concept of generative mechanisms is used and what types of generative mechanisms are adopted. Based on our findings, we propose a research agenda that encourages further studies on digital transformation, taking a critical realist stance. Thus, we put forward ways of applying critical realism to digital transformation studies and show how critical realism can advance research through its ability for multi-level analysis and its unique understanding of change and transformation.

Keywords
Critical realism; Digital innovation; Digital transformation; Generative mechanism; Literature review



Publication type
Research article in proceedings (conference)

Peer reviewed
Yes

Publication status
Published

Year
2021

Conference
27th Annual Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2021

Venue
Montreal

Book title
AMCIS 2021 Proceedings

Editor
Chan, Yolande; Boudreau, Maric

Start page
1

End page
1

Edition
1

Publisher
Association for Information Systems

Place
Canada

Language
English

ISBN
9781733632584

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