Publication
Title
Unravelling the internal and external drivers of digital servitization : a dynamic capabilities and contingency perspective on firm strategy
Author
Abstract
Despite the increased interest in using digital technologies for servitization purposes, little is known about what drives firms towards a digital servitization strategy. Using a dynamic capabilities lens, we look into the relationships between two organizational mechanisms - exploitation and exploration - and firms' orientation towards digitization, servitization and digital servitization. On top, we examine the influence of two environmental contingencies - technological turbulence and competitive intensity - as potential influencers of these relationships. We collected and analyzed data of 139 Belgian firms through hierarchical regressions. Exploitation and exploration are positively associated with digital servitization, but exploration trumps the effect of exploitation when firms do both. Technological turbulence is positively associated with digitization regardless of the firm's level of exploration or exploitation, and competitive intensity only relates positively with servitization when firms emphasize exploration. Theoretically, we contribute to the literature by unravelling the relationship between firms' dynamic capabilities and their environment. In order to fully understand firms' strategic transition towards digital servitization, both should be considered. As managerial implications, we suggest that firms pay close attention to adapting their strategy to fit an increasingly changing environment.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Industrial marketing management. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2020
ISSN
0019-8501
DOI
10.1016/J.INDMARMAN.2020.02.014
Volume/pages
89 (2020) , p. 265-277
ISI
000564630800025
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 12.03.2020
Last edited 02.10.2024
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