Strategic transformations in a disruptive digital environment
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how two media firms, Sky Plc and Pearson Plc, adapted, reconfigured, and transformed their businesses to meet the demands of an operating environment characterized by inexorable changes in digital technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
The over-arching vision, corporate strategies, and financial performance for both firms are examined over two business cycles.
Findings
These findings illustrate why firms need to create a portfolio business that takes advantage of the market opportunities created by innovative digital technologies, while off-setting the risks associated with digital disruption.
Practical implications
Business leaders should not dispense with the basic principles of good strategic business unit portfolio management in their attempts to take advantage of the market opportunities provided by a disruptive digital environment.
Originality/value
This paper provides a highly original insight into how two firms placed ambitious levels of growth at the heart of their corporate strategies to seize the market opportunities provided by an increasingly digital operating environment.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research has been funded by the British Academy/Leverhulme Trust (Ref: SG150150).
Citation
Oliver, J.J. (2018), "Strategic transformations in a disruptive digital environment", Strategic Direction, Vol. 34 No. 5, pp. 5-8. https://doi.org/10.1108/SD-01-2018-0003
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited