The role of the C-suite in Agile transformation: the case of Amazon

Abstract

Purpose

Practitioners can learn much about how a CEO can generate and sustain business agility from examining the role of Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon—arguably the world’s most-agile large organization.

Design/methodology/approach

Amazon demonstrates mastery of strategic agility by having successfully shifted Amazon into a whole series of new businesses on a massive scale.

Findings

As Amazon acquires new skills, it doesn’t just become more proficient in its own business: it turns these into newly-created capabilities into new businesses.”

Practical implications

For Bezos, the medium-term road map for the future is ‘pretty much all that he works on, delegating the day-to-day business operations to others.’ His job is all about long-term thinking.

Originality/value

This article examines Amazon’s remarkable record of continuous innovation in the light of its Agile mindset. The practices will be illuminating to senior executives seeking to promote an innovation-focused culture in their organizations.

Citation

Denning, S. (2018), "The role of the C-suite in Agile transformation: the case of Amazon", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 46 No. 6, pp. 14-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/SL-10-2018-0094