The disruptive nature of innovations and technological advancements present potentially huge benefits, however, it is critical to take caution because they also come with challenges. This author holds fast to the school of thought which suggests that every organisation or society should properly evaluate innovations and their attendant challenges from a strategic perspective, before adopting them, or else could get blindsided by the after effects. Big Data is one of such innovations, currently trending within industry and academia. The instinctive nature of Organizations compels them to constantly find new ways to stay ahead of the competition. It is for this reason, that some incoherencies exist in the field of big data. While on the one hand, we have some Organizations rushing into implementing Big Data Projects, we also have in possibly equal measure, many other organisations that remain sceptical and uncertain of the benefits of "Big Data" in general and are also concerned with the implementation costs. What this has done is, create a huge focus on the area of Big Data Implementation. Literature reveals a good number of challenges around Big Data project implementations. For example, most Big Data projects are either abandoned or do not hit their expected target. Unfortunately, most IS literature has focused on implementation methodologies that are primarily focused on the data, resources, Big Data infrastructures, algorithms etc. Rather than leaving the incoherent space that exists to remain, this research seeks to collapse the space and open opportunities to harness and expand knowledge. Consequently, the research takes a slightly different standpoint by approaching Big Data implementation from a Strategic Perspective. The author emphasises the fact that focus should be shifted from going straight into implementing Big Data projects to first implementing a Big Data Strategy for the Organization. Before implementation, this strategy step will create the value proposition and identify deliverables to justify the project. To this end, the researcher combines an Alignment theory, with Digital Business Strategy theory to create a Big Data Strategy Framework that Organisations could use to align their business strategy with the Big Data project. The Framework was tested in two case studies, and the study resulted in the generation of the strategic Big Data Goals for both case studies. This Big Data Strategy framework aided the organisation in identifying the potential value that could be obtained from their Big Data project. These Strategic Big Data Goals can now be implemented in Big data Projects.

Many  companies  are  struggling  to  navigate  in  the  rapidly  changing  environment  and uncertain time of the digital era. Previous research has been exploring the ongoing trend of digital transformation, as well as digital business strategies, but still there is little guidance for  practitioners  in  terms  of  concrete  frameworks  and  concepts  for  digital  business strategizing.  This  thesis  investigates  critical  factors  of  digital  business  strategizing  and contributes  by  developing  a  maturity  model  for  digital  business  strategizing.  The contribution  of  this  study  is  two  folded,  on  the  one  hand  it  provides  practitioners  a conceptual  artefact  in  order  to  analyze  their  challenges  in  the  new  landscape  of  digital transformation and on the other it gives valuable insights for researchers on the new rising phenomena of digital business strategies.

Problemformulering: Hur påverkas organisationer vid digitala transformationer?  Syfte: Uppsatsens primära syfte är att redogöra för hur en digital transformation har påverkat organisationers affärsmodeller samt påverkat verksamheters användande av strategier. Vi ämnar även att undersöka varför organisationer genomgick en digital transformation och vad som önskades att uppnås med förändringen.  Metod: En kvalitativ datainsamling med en deduktiv ansats. Det empiriska materialet samlades in via strukturerade intervjuer på respondenternas arbetsplatser.  Slutsats: Studien påvisar att organisationerna efter en digital transformation har kunnat skapa ett högre värde genom kostnadsminimering och effektivisering genom användning av mindre medel. Studien visar även att organisationsförändringen förändrar en verksamhet från grunden eftersom nya strukturer och system tillämpas samt delvis påverkar affärsmodeller. Det är därför av vikt att ha en digital strategi, en handlingsplan och mål för förändringsprocessen.

The merging of business and information technology (IT) strategies, effectively becoming a Digital Business Strategy (DBS), is changing the way that organisations have to leverage resources to create differential value. Due to the DBS being such a novice idea, there is no clear understanding of what the DBS is, what its characteristics and boundaries are, how it impacts alignment between business and IT, and how it impacts organisational performance. Without this understanding, organisations leveraging a DBS run the risk of launching technological initiatives or making organisational changes that are disjointed from their strategic direction. These misaligned efforts may result in unrealised strategy and unsatisfactory organisational performance. The purpose of this study was to define the boundaries and characteristics of the DBS, provide a definition of a DBS and to establish if the DBS has a positive effect on organisational performance. To examine the DBS, it was observed in its natural habitat, through a single case study approach, focusing on an organisation that has been leveraging a DBS as part of their digital journey. The organisation is a South African based financial services provider and is a subsidiary of a larger financial services provider. In this study, the DBS was observed from an intellectual, operational, social and cultural alignment perspective, using a combination of the Strategic Alignment Model (SAM) and the Complex Adaptive System (CAS) frameworks. This study subscribed to a mixed-method approach which included both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Staff providing input into this study included senior, middle, junior and non-management employees. The study was conducted over a period of thirteen months. The findings from both the qualitative and quantitative data suggest that to leverage a DBS the organisation must be concerned with more than just leveraging digital resources. For instance, organisations must focus on customer and staff empowerment, use customer and industry-related information to create opportunistic and competitive decision-making opportunities, and create a change-ready culture where bold experimentation and failing forward is embraced. Researchers and practitioners alike can use the findings of this case study as lessons on how to leverage organisational resources in the context of the DBS.

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Digital innovation is a key to solve problems of future healthcare. Medical Technology (MedTech) firms will have to employ successful digital business strategies (DBSs) to become innovative and increase the efficiency to solve the problems in healthcare. This thesis aims to outline important aspects when employing a DBS in a MedTech firm. The results are based on empirical data from consultants working with digital strategies as well as professionals working in the MedTech industry. I conduct semi-structured interviews with 11 professionals of different backgrounds to gain their perspectives and insights on how to successfully implement a DBS in an organisation. I discuss and conclude their opinions concerning the business model and change management aspects of a DBS. The focal point of this thesis was partially led by my commissioner, Human Care. From the literature review and interviews, I introduce several interesting findings which can be helpful for both management of MedTech firms as well as consultants working with DBSs. Some of the findings contributing to successful DBSs includes improving the organisation’s innovative ability and creating opportunities for new innovations. This can be done by working more agile, introducing new competences and co-innovating with customers of the firm. Furthermore, the DBS can change firms’ business models. Interviewees find that the impact can be minor or extensive depending on the DBS employed and can ultimately lead to entire new business models being created. The DBS can have disruptive impact on incumbent firms’ current business and create completely new products or services. Management must correctly evaluate their current position and future desired state to develop a strategy fit for their specific firm. Finally, I find that there is a clear correlation between the changes in the business model and the change management work when implementing a DBS. I present some areas that management of MedTech firms must attend in order to increase the chances of success in their DBS. / Digital innovation är nyckeln till att lösa problem inom sjukvården. Medicinteknikbolag måste använda sig av digitala affärsstrategier för att öka effektiviteten och lösa problem som sjukvården väntas möta i framtiden. Denna rapport syftar till att delge viktiga aspekter när man använder sig av och utformar digitala affärsstrategier inom medicinteknikbolag. Resultaten är baserade på empiriska data från konsulter som jobbar med digitala strategier samt personer yrkesverksamma inom medicinteknik. Jag har genomfört 11 intervjuer med personer med olika bakgrund för att få deras perspektiv och insikter om hur man framgångsrikt använder sig av digitala affärsstrategier i en organisation. Jag diskuterar och sammanfattar deras åsikter rörande affärsmodeller och förändringsledningsarbete relaterat till digitala affärsstrategier. Denna rapports utformning är delvis ledd av min uppdragsgivare, Human Care. Resultaten från litteraturgenomgången och intervjuerna visar att företags innovationsförmåga och att skapa förutsättningar för innovation är viktiga aspekter för framgång. Detta sker genom att ändra organisationens sätt att arbeta på, genom agila arbetsmetoder, nya kompetenser och kan leda till att helt nya affärsmodeller skapas. Strategin kan vara disruptiv för företags nuvarande affär och skapa helt nya produkter och/eller tjänster. Ledningen måste utvärdera sin nuvarande situation och framtida målbild för att utforma väl anpassade strategier för bolaget. Jag finner att det finns en tydlig koppling mellan ändringar i affärsmodellen och förändringsarbetet när man implementerar en digital affärsstrategi. Jag introducerar några områden som ledningen måste se över för att öka chansen till framgång i strategin.