To nurture transformational technology, build a community like Sam Walton’s

Abstract

Purpose

The authors examine the approach by which Sam Walton, a 48-year-old when he took his first technology course, drove creation of a new set of technology for retailing.

Design/methodology/approach

By breaking Walton’s approach into five stages, the authors show how his way of working points to a credible path for leaders with limited background in technology to lead technological change.

Findings

Senior leaders can apply Walton’s systematic way of leading for creation of excellent processes to accomplish customer-focused technology innovation in the modern era.

Practical implications

Five elements of Walton’s tech innovation leadership are reviewed and analyzed.

Originality/value

This article offers insights about how Walton was able to form a tech savvy team of managers and synthesize a vision about the potential of technology to produce operational breakthroughs far in advance of his competition.

Citation

Bjelland, O.M. and Wood, R.C. (2015), "To nurture transformational technology, build a community like Sam Walton’s", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 43 No. 2, pp. 41-46. https://doi.org/10.1108/SL-01-2015-0010