The impact of peripheral region to drivers and inhibitors of digital transformation: A case study of a shopping centre in northwest China
No Thumbnail Available
URL
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
School of Business |
Master's thesis
Authors
Date
2024
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Strategic Management in a Changing World
Language
en
Pages
82
Series
Abstract
Digital transformation has been a popular theme that has been active among re- searchers for years, many studies have been conducted regarding digital transformation progress in urban or developed environments, however, the impact of digital transformation in peripheral regions is under-researched till today. This study focuses on identifying the factors that impact a company's digital trans- formation processes on drivers and resistance, under the circumstances of remote regions where both economic development and workforce quality are relatively stationary and under-developed. To contribute to filling the gap in the academic world on the topic, the first objective is to identify the impact of drivers and inhibitors on a company's digital transformation progress, and then to further add the elements of remote regions on top of the impact of drivers and inhibitors. This study provides strategic suggestions for companies to tackle inhibitors for future development. To bringing more clarifications on different impacts, this study conducts an intensive case study to collect data via qualitative research methodology. As the key interest of the study is on the impact of peripheral characteristics, this study selected a company located in the developing region of Northwest China. Fifteen out of seventeen internal employees are invited to the interview to gain a holistic and deep picture of different scenarios in terms of their perspectives on digital development. The collected data is coded based on the transcription and notes. This study gives three strategic recommendations for the company to develop their digital future based on the resistance of lack of digital awareness and skillset, unclarified digital strategy, and insufficient financial support, appeared in analysis and discussion. First, companies shall conduct training to enhance digital knowledge, second, companies shall concretise the benefit from digital strategy to evaluate the worthiness, finally, companies shall seek external financial support. The research contributes to two key areas. First, this study fills a research gap in the literature by adding elements of remoteness into digital transformation factors and understand challenges and unique opportunities. Furthermore, the study contributes to providing insight into the interconnectedness between remote areas and the diverse factors that impacts a company's digital progress, mapping the influence from peripheral elements to external and internal factors.Description
Thesis advisor
Koveshnikov, AlexeiKeywords
peripheral region, digital transformation, drivers, inhibitors