1. Informal governance in the digital transformation
- Author
-
Rainer Lasch, Patricia Burkhardt, and Jakob Keller
- Subjects
Knowledge management ,business.industry ,Strategy and Management ,Corporate governance ,05 social sciences ,Digital transformation ,General Decision Sciences ,Transparency (behavior) ,Purchasing ,language.human_language ,German ,Management of Technology and Innovation ,0502 economics and business ,language ,Supply network ,Multiple case ,050211 marketing ,Business ,Study analysis ,050203 business & management - Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore if and how informal governance mechanisms are used for coordinating actors of digitalized supply networks.Design/methodology/approachA multiple case study analysis of ten German firms in digitalized supply networks is conducted. Data are collected through semi-structured expert interviews with interviewees having notable years of professional experience in purchasing or sales.FindingsThis research shows that reduced personal contacts in digitalized supply networks decrease the ability to coordinate with informal governance mechanisms. However, the need for informal governance in digitalized supply networks remains when facing supply network disruptions or building new business relationships.Originality/valueThis is the first study examining the role of informal governance mechanisms in digitalized supply networks. Theoretical and practical insights on the changing abilities and needs to use informal governance after the digital transformation are given.
- Published
- 2021