Thomas, L.D.W. (Llewellyn D.W.)
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- Digital innovation: transforming research and practice(Taylor & Francis, 2021-11-22) Yoo, Y. (Youngjin); Garud, R. (Raghu); Bogers, M.L.A.M. (Marcel L A M); Tuertscher, P. (Philipp); Thomas, L.D.W. (Llewellyn D.W.)There is no doubt that digital technologies are spawning ongoing innovation across most if not all sectors of the economy and society. In this essay, we take stock of the characteristics of digital technologies that give rise to this new reality and introduce the papers in this special issue. In addition, we also highlight the unprecedent opportunities that digital innovation provides to study innovation processes more generally. Overall, we conclude that the speed, observability, and relative ease in investigating relationships between multiple analytical levels, mean that digital innovation is both a ‘model of’ that also provides a ‘model for’ the study of innovation processes more broadly in non-digital and hybrid contexts.
- Organizational scaling, scalability, and scale-up: Definitional harmonization and a research agenda(Elsevier, 2024-07-16) Nambisan, S. (Satish); Patzelt, H. (Holger); Autio, E. (Erkko); Coviello, N. (Nicole); Thomas, L.D.W. (Llewellyn D.W.)The concepts of ‘scaling,’ ‘scalability,’ and ‘scale-up’ are increasingly used in business research and practice. However, the literature reveals a range of definitions for each, and often, their meanings are only implied. This diminishes the ability to build cumulative and meaningful insight - and conduct research - on each concept. In this editorial, we offer a systematic review that assesses and harmonizes prior definitions of these important concepts. This allows us to define and differentiate between (a) scaling as an organizational process, (b) scalability as an ordinary organizational capability, and (c) scale-up as a phase of organizational development. Complementing and extending existing scholarly work, we develop a rich agenda for scaling-related research in entrepreneurship.
- Distinguishing digitization and digitalization: A systematic review and conceptual framework(Wiley, 2023-07-13) Gradillas, M. (María); Thomas, L.D.W. (Llewellyn D.W.)With increasing interest in how digital technology impacts innovation, the constructs “digitization” and “digitalization” have become popular. However, different conceptualizations have emerged resulting in conceptual overlap and little definitional consensus. To understand how these two constructs have been used within innovation management, we systematically review both constructs and identify 26 different definitions used for both, underscoring the need for greater precision. Building from our systematic review, we synthesize and integrate these findings to derive clear and parsimonious definitions of digitization and digitalization and propose a conceptual framework that systematically links both constructs with existing innovation scholarship. We then discuss the implications of our framework on theories of the process of innovation and digital transformation. We recommend future research into digital design principles, digital product life cycle, knowledge accumulation, generativity, and the feedback dynamics within our framework. We also provide practitioner implications and limitations.
- Vertical and horizontal complementarities in platform ecosystems(Taylor & Francis Group ; Routledge, 2024-01-18) Ritala, P. (Paavo); Karhu, K. (Kimmo); Thomas, L.D.W. (Llewellyn D.W.); Heiskala, M. (Mikko)We develop a framework of vertical and horizontal complementarities in platform ecosystems. Complementarity is a key theoretical construct for scholars investigating digital platforms and ecosystems, often mentioned in the context of complements, components, modularity, interdependence, and synergies. We shortly review the literature on complementarities in general strategy literature and then conceptualise complementarities in platform ecosystems. We distinguish between ‘vertical complementarity’ which signifies how complements (e.g., apps) increase the value of a platform (e.g., Android) and ‘horizontal complementarity’ which relates to the value creating complementarities between complements on a platform (e.g., an email and a calendar app). This distinction helps to clarify the notion of complementarities in platform ecosystems and has implications for our understanding of network effects, interdependence, generativity, platform governance, and platform strategy.