Transformation in a Tightly Nested System: Employing Fast Cycles of Change

Abstract

A reason why industry incumbents seldom survive technology transitions is their strong reliance on an efficient, but inflexible organizational system. We studied three digital transformation initiatives that created fast progress in a struggling newspaper group by working against the industry logic and established thinking in the area. This chapter argues that management succeeded in introducing a new strategic practice through these transformation initiatives. We focus on three factors contributing to the success: complexity management, short time development of a long-term vision, and the introduction of impossible goals.

Citation

Fredberg, T. and Pregmark, J. (2016), "Transformation in a Tightly Nested System: Employing Fast Cycles of Change", Research in Organizational Change and Development (Research in Organizational Change and Development, Vol. 24), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 185-219. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0897-301620160000024008