Skip to main content

Digital(ization) – A Single Construct Amidst Supply Management?

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Logistics Management

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Logistics ((LNLO))

Abstract

Digital technologies pervade products, services and companies. Keywords like Internet-of-Things, or big data analytics made their way on to almost every presentation and promotional slogan, seemingly becoming the backbone for every business organization, including supply management functions. However, the understanding of digital and related terms such as digitalization varies significantly. This research addresses the conceptual gap and seeks to identify characteristics and patterns of digital/digitalization. In addition, the terms digital, digitization and digitalization will be delineated. For this purpose, this research reviews existing literature. Digital as a phenomenon is structured through the application of deductive structure-discovering methods. The findings show the discrepancy between a technical and a managerial understanding. This paper proposes a conceptual model that structures the phenomenon into (1) digitization, (2) media convergence, (3) digitalization and (4) digital transformation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bastian, M., Heymann, S., Jacomy, M.: Gephi: an open source software for exploring and manipulating networks. In: Third International AAAI Conference on Weblogs and Social Media, pp. 361–362 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, S.: Control and the digital computer: the early years. In: 15th Triennial World Congress, Barcelona, Spain. IFAC (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  • BMWi. Industrie 4.0 und Digitale Wirtschaft, Berlin (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • Borgatti, S.P.: Centrality and network flow. Soc. Netw. 27, 55–71 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bracht, U., Masurat, T.: The digital factory between vision and reality. Comput. Ind. 56, 325–333 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briner, R., Denyer, D.: Systematic Review and Evidence Synthesis as a Practice and Scholarship Tool. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2012)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Bullock, R.J., Batten, D.: It’s just a phase we’re going through: a review and synthesis of OD phase analysis. Group Organ. Stud. 10, 383–412 (1985)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capgemini Consulting. The Digital Advantage: How digital leaders outperform their peers in every industry [WWW Document]. MIT Sloan Management Review (2018). https://www.capgemini.com/wpcontent/uploads/2017/07/The_Digital_Advantage__How_Digital_Leaders_Outperform_their_Peers_in_Every_Industry.pdf. Accessed 9 July 2018

  • Chin, K.S., Rao, T., Leung, J.P.F., Tang, X.: A study on supply chain management practices The Hong Kong manufacturing perspective. Int. J. Phys. Distrib. Logist. Manage. 34, 505–524 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corbin, J., Strauss, A.L.: Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. Sage Publications, Newbury Park (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • Denyer, D., Tranfield, D.: Producing a systematic review. In: Buchanan, D., Bryman, A. (eds.) The Sage Handbook of Organizational Research Methods, pp. 671–689. SAGE Publications Ltd., London (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., Jackson, P.: Management and Business Research, 5th edn. SAGE Publications Ltd., Los Angeles (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, P., Jackson, S., Bowker, G., Knobel, C.: Theory of Infrastructure: Lessons for New Scientific Cyberinfrastructures, Michigan (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, G., Aguinis, H.: Using theory elaboration to make theoretical advancements. Organ. Res. Methods 20(3), 438–464 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forrester, J.W.: Digital Computers as Information-Processing Systems (No. R-166-1), Digital Computer Laboratory, Massachusetts (1949)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gartner. Digitalization - Gartner IT Glossary [WWW Document] (2018). https://www.gartner.com/it-glossary/digitalization/. Accessed 6 Jan 2018

  • Google. Digital [WWW Document] (2018). https://www.google.com/. Accessed 11 Apr 2018

  • Hassani, S.N.: Locating digital divides at home, work, and everywhere else (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henfridsson, O., Yoo, Y., Svahn, F.: Path creation in digital innovation: a multi-layered dialectics perspective. In: Association for Information Systems, Working Papers on Information Systems, pp. 9–20 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huber, A.S.: Das Ziel Digital Enterprise: die professionelle digitale Abbildung von Produktentwicklung und Produktion. In: Sendler, U. (ed.) Industrie 4.0: Beherrschung Der Industriellen Komplexität Mit SysLM, pp. 111–125. Springer, Heidelberg (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kache, F., Seuring, S.: Challenges and opportunities of digital information at the intersection of Big Data Analytics and supply chain management. Int. J. Oper. Prod. Manage. 37(1), 10–36 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knight, L., Tate, W., Matopoulos, A., Meehan, J., Salmi, A.: Breaking the mold: research process innovations in purchasing and supply management. J. Purchasing Supply Manage. 22, 239–243 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KPMG. Advantage Digital [WWW Document] (2018). https://home.kpmg.com/uk/en/home/insights/2017/03/advantage-digital.html. Accessed 9 Jul 2018

  • Klein, R.: Customization and real time information access in integrated eBusiness supply chain relationships. J. Oper. Manage. 25, 1366–1381 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kreutzer, R.T., Neugebauer, T., Pattloch, A.: Digital Business Leadership Digitale Transformation - Geschäftsmodell-Innovation - Agile Organisation - Change Management. Springer, Berlin (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreutzer, R.T., Land, K.-H.: Digital Darwinism Branding and Business Models in Jeopardy. Springer, Heidelberg (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • Krickel, F.: Zukunftsorientierte Unternehmenssteuerung in der Energiewirtschaft, Zukunftsorientierte Unternehmenssteuerung in der Energiewirtschaft. Springer, Wiesbaden (2015)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Z., Prajogo, D., Oke, A.: Supply chain technologies: linking adoption, utilization, and performance. J. Supply Chain Manage. 52, 22–41 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayring, P.: Qualitative inhaltsanalyse. In: Flick, U., von Kardoff, E., Keupp, H., von Rosenstiel, L., Wolff, S. (eds.) Handbuch Qualitative Forschung: Grundlagen, Konzepte, Methoden Und Anwendungen, pp. 209–213. Beltz - Psychologie Verl. Union, München (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayring, P.: Qualitative Inhaltsanalyse. Handbuch Qualitative Forschung in der Psychologie 1, 601–613 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M.B., Huberman, A.M.: Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook, 2nd edn. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, H.-E.: Digitale Technologien [WWW Document]. Gabler Wirtschaftslexikon (2017). https://wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de/definition/digitale-technologien-54127. Accessed 25 Sept 2018

  • Newman, M.E.J.: Scientific collaboration networks. II. Shortest paths, weighted networks, and centrality. Phys. Rev. E 64, 1–7 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  • Okamoto, K., Chen, W., Li, X.-Y.: Ranking of closeness centrality for large-scale social networks. In: Preparata, F., Wu, X., Yin, J. (eds.) Proceedings of the 2nd Annual International Workshop on Frontiers in Algorithmics, pp. 186–195. Springer, Berlin (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pagani, M., Pardo, C.: The impact of digital technology on relationships in a business network. Ind. Mark. Manage. 67, 185–192 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patnayakuni, N.: Firm performance impacts of digitally enabled supply chain integration capabilities. MIS Q. 30, 225–246 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pescher, J.: Change Management: Taxonomie und Erfolgsauswirkungen. Gabler Verlag, Wiesbaden (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Poole, M.S.: Central issues in the study of change and innovation. In: Poole, M.S., Van de Ven, A.H. (eds.) Handbook of Organizational Change and Innovation, pp. 3–31. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt, M.G., Rockmann, K.W., Kaufmann, J.B.: Constructing professional identity: the role of work and identity learning cycles in the customization of identity among medical residents. Acad. Manage. J. 49, 235–262 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pratt, M.K., Rouse, M.: What is ICT [WWW Document]. WhatIs (2005). https://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/ICT-information-and-communications-technology-or-technologies. Accessed 25 Sept 2018

  • Samulat, P.: Die Digitalisierung der Welt: Wie das Industrielle Internet der Dinge aus Produkten Services macht. Springer Fachmedien, Wiesbaden (2017)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Schentler, P., Klein, A.: Einkaufscontrolling: Instrumente und Kennzahlen für einen höheren Wertbeitrag des Einkaufs. Haufe Lexware, Freiburg im Breisgau (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  • Spiggle, S.: Analysis and interpretation of qualitative data in consumer research. J. Consum. Res. 21, 491–503 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srai, J.S., Lorentz, H.: Developing design principles for the digitalisation of purchasing and supply management. J. Purchasing Supply Manage. 25(1), 78–98 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, D., Ewing, M., Mather, D.: e-Audience estimation: modelling the spread of viral advertising using branching theory. Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences Annual Meeting (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilson, D.A., Lyytinen, K., Sorensen, C.: Desperately seeking the infrastructure in IS research: conceptualization of “digital convergence” as co-evolution of social and technical infrastructures. In: 43rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, pp. 1–10. IEEE (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilson, D.A., Lyytinen, K., Sørensen, C.: Research commentary—digital infrastructures: the missing IS research agenda. Inf. Syst. Res. 21, 748–759 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tilson, D.A.: The interrelationships between technical standards and industry structures: actor-network based case studies of the mobile wireless and television industries in the US and the UK. Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tranfield, D., Denyer, D., Smart, P.: Towards a methodology for developing evidence-informed management knowledge by means of systematic review* introduction: the need for an evidence-informed approach. Br. J. Manag. 14, 207–222 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasudevan, R.K., Ziatdinov, M., Chen, C., Kalinin, S.V.: Analysis of citation networks as a new tool for scientific research. MRS Bull. 41, 1009–1016 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verband der Hochschullehrer für Betriebswirtschaft e.V.: Gesamtliste, 2018. VHB Journalqualität. http://vhbonline.org/vhb4you/jourqual/vhb-jourqual-3/gesamtliste/. Accessed 25 June 25 2018

  • Weinreich, U.: Lean Digitization. Springer, Heidelberg (2016)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, Y.: Computing in everyday life: a call for research on experiential computing. MIS Q. 34, 213–231 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, Y., Boland, R., Lyytinen, K., Majchrzak, A.: Organizing for innovation in the digitized world. Organ. Sci. 23, 1398–1408 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, Y., Henfridsson, O., Lyytinen, K.: Research commentary —the new organizing logic of digital innovation: an agenda for information systems research. Inf. Syst. Res. 21, 724–735 (2010a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, Y., Lyytinen, K., Boland, R., Berente, N.: The next wave of digital innovation: opportunities and challenges: a report on the research workshop “digital challenges in innovation research”. SSRN Electron. J. 1–37 (2010b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, L., Glänzel, W., Liang, L.: Tracing the role of individual journals in a cross-citation network based on different indicators. Scientometrics 81, 821–838 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, L., Janssens, F., Liang, L., Glänzel, W.: Journal cross-citation analysis for validation and improvement of journal-based subject classification in bibliometric research. Scientometrics 82, 687–706 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, K., Dong, S., Xu, S.X., Kraemer, K.L.: Innovation diffusion in global contexts: determinants of post-adoption digital transformation of European companies. Eur. J. Inf. Syst. 15, 601–616 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andreas H. Glas .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Annex 1: Category Building Based on Existing Journal Publications

Annex 1: Category Building Based on Existing Journal Publications

figure a

Analysis of 42 papers based on abductive categories, categories which are crossed out have been identified as not relevant. Harvey balls indicate content of papers in qualitative 25% steps. Each colored quarter symbolizes more details on dimension in paper; a completely filled Harvey ball indicates topic is included explicitly in paper.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Elsäßer, C., Glas, A.H., Eßig, M. (2019). Digital(ization) – A Single Construct Amidst Supply Management?. In: Bierwirth, C., Kirschstein, T., Sackmann, D. (eds) Logistics Management. Lecture Notes in Logistics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29821-0_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics