APPROPRIATION DYNAMICS IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY OF DIGITAL SUPPORT STRUCTURES AND PROCESSES

Abstract

Previous research on IS-enabled Organizational Transformation and Digital Transformation (DT) has generally focused on the process of transformation and on its ongoing nature. However, less attention has been paid to the multiple digital support structures and processes that ongoing DT requires. In this research, we study the appropriation of a digital support structure aimed at maintaining cooperation and effort of a complex, contingent, constantly changing DT. How do the different levels of appropriation of a DT support structure co-exist in an ongoing DT? To answer this question, we studied the appropriation of a DT support structure and its processes in three large companies, using participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Our work responds to a lack of research on the appropriation of DT support structure and processes: we explored the three perspectives identified in De Vaujany’s work (rational, socio-political, psycho-cognitive) at three levels of analysis (governance, entity, individual) and for different categories of actors (designers, deployment managers and users) brought together in the context of DT change management.