With the rise of digital technologies that have disrupted standard business models and created a new level of competition in the market, the need for digital business strategising that shapes the future of organisations and achieves digital transformation is high on the agenda of most firms. The added complexity of uncertainty in the regulatory environment regarding financial products and services, regulation of digital platforms and ongoing financial regulatory changes based on macro-economic turbulence, makes for a complex external environment within which businesses need to effectively compete and achieve performance targets. A qualitative, interpretive case study of a South African based global organisation is undertaken to explore and understand how organisations navigate the macro-environmental landscape while forging a digitally transformed future. The research uses thematic analysis to extract themes in the data collected from both IT and business leaders as they navigate the path of transitioning from traditional to digital business models in the context of regulatory uncertainty. The study provides insight into what is required for firms to achieve digital transformation, and demonstrates the influence that regulatory uncertainty has on the digital business strategising process of a firm. A conceptual model is developed that reflects the key drivers of digital transformation to achieve digital maturity and competitive advantage, and also represents the external influencing factors of regulatory uncertainty. The findings reveal a shift to a more tactical, combined top-down, bottom-up strategising practice with reliance on dynamic capabilities, strong leadership and innovation to overcome challenges of regulatory uncertainty.

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Technology is transforming industries, challenging traditional marketing channels, and providing digital avenues for dynamic growth. The popularity of digital platforms has disrupted traditional distribution channels, increased reach of social networks, and changed the way people interact. This research examines how advanced technology is enabling direct sellers to create and maintain relationships. It investigates the multidimensional aspect of technology use and advances the proposition that it acts as a strategic success factor for customer relationship performance specifically within the peer-guided marketplace of direct selling. Using a survey of 114 direct sellers, findings suggest that, in general, technology use does enhance direct sellers' ability to create and maintain consumer relationships, especially among less-experienced salespeople.

La formulación estratégica se enfrenta a nuevos retos, por lo cual resulta interesante analizar su influencia en la ejecución estratégica en la actualidad. Así, la presente investigación plantea como interrogante central: ¿Cómo influye la formulación en la ejecución estratégica? El propósito de este documento es presentar una investigación basada en la evolución de la gestión estratégica a través de los años de acuerdo con los pensamientos de diversos autores que contribuyeron al crecimiento de distinguidas organizaciones. Por esta razón, el objetivo general del presente trabajo es determinar si las estrategias tradicionales desarrolladas por los autores pioneros del siglo XX continúan teniendo vigencia en la formulación y ejecución estratégica de las empresas en la era digital. Para el presente artículo se utilizó un método de investigación cualitativa que permitió, específicamente, identificar los principales enfoques de distintos autores de los siglos XX y XXI. Del estudio se pudo concluir que las estrategias tradicionales están vigentes en esta nueva era digital, pero se considera que su enfoque se debe retroalimentar y evolucionar para ser susceptible de adaptación a las nuevas condiciones de mercado. / Strategic formulation faces new challenges, that is why it is interesting to analyze its influence on strategic execution. Thus, the current investigation states as its main question: How does formulation influence strategic execution? The purpose of this document is to present an investigation based on the evolution of strategic management throughout the years, considering different authors’ reflections which contributed to the growth of distinguished organizations. For that reason, the general objective of this work is to determine if the traditional strategies developed by the pioneering authors in the 20th century are still valid in the formulation and strategic execution of companies in the digital era. This article used a qualitative method of research that helps identify the different approaches of several authors of the 20th and 21st centuries. The study concluded that traditional strategies are still valid in the formulation and strategic execution of companies in the digital era. However, their perspective must be fed back and evolve, in order to be susceptible to adaptation in the new market conditions. / Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional

This research project is a quantitative enquiry focused specifically on the value consumption of digital business platforms (DBP's) in relation to how informal sector traders (IST's) are using them to buy, sell and market their product and services in their daily trade functions. This study has adopted the approach of classifying the social media platforms, internet banking platforms and mobile payments platforms, as a single collective and defined under the banner of Digital Business Platforms. The advantage to this approach, is that it provides a multi-dimensional view of the perceived value-axis based on positive and negative experiences of using a variety of digital platforms including messaging, payments, and banking applications on their mobile phones in their daily trading functions. This study examines the positive experiences of perceived value (PV), collectively in the form of social value (SV), emotional value (EV) and functional value (FV). On the opposite end of the value spectrum, are the negative experiences of perceived risk in the form of price risk (PR) and technical barriers (TB) for the same group of informal sector traders. Understanding the relational impacts of these positive and negative experiences of value consumption, may lead to an understanding of their influence in the perceived usefulness (PU) and the perceived ease of use (PEoU) of DBP's. The results of these relationships will shed some light towards the behavioural intention (BI) to adopt DBP's and their actual usage in the long term. The analysis yielded the following results: for positive experiences, emotional value had the least impact on both perceived ease of use and usefulness and functional value was higher than social value. This means that IST's place more value on the utility of DBP's, than the emotional and social values. Regarding the negative experiences, price risk had the most significant impact on the willingness to adopt DBP's by ISTs.

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Title: Digital business strategy - The driver for change in internal and external business environment Authors: Sumera Magsi and Sarah Shaaban Advisor: Andrea Fried Master thesis, 30 credits Background:The effects resulting from a more intense use of digital technologies in companies is visible in the integration between business and IT strategies which creates an urge for digital business strategies to emerge. Thesis aim: The aim is to investigate the current state of digital business strategies which includes highlighting benefits and challenges. By doing that we also are aiming towards answering, in what way ITBA can be questioned due to DBS. Methodology: A qualitative research based on a multiple case study by conducting semi- structured interviews. All the selected case companies are using digital business strategies as a part of their internal and external business environment (IEBE). The respondents have a role in the chosen case companies of being responsible for the implementation and use of strategies, digital business strategies and digital technologies. Findings: This study identifies that their exits a linkage between business strategy and ITBA. The main finding about the current state of DBS involves both internal and external DBS activities. Further findings show that benefit of digital business strategy to be the opportunity to levering costumers and challenges to be connected to the different IT maturity levels of the employees. The way that digital business strategy can question ITBA is based on that it is the driver for change for the case companies.

Advanced information and communication technologies, social media, Internet, etc. have tremendously impact on flourishing Internet based Startup around the world. Although some Internet Startups e.g. Facebook, Google, Uber, Airbnb, and Amazon are very successful, but most of the startups fail in their early stage of journey. Previous research findings show that inadequate funding, fierce competition, lack of appropriate strategies and business model, etc. are main reasons for failure of startup firms. Researchers suggest that adequate fund and proper digital business strategies can significantly support these Startups to survive and grow. Digital technologies, which include hardware, software, applications, and interactive communication technologies can significantly enhance and increase capabilities of startups through creating values and competitive advantages. Although, now days digital capabilities in large organization is getting more importance to many researchers, however a few researchers are focusing on investigating the impact of digital capabilities of Internet based startups. The study is conducted to examine how digital technologies create values for Internet based Startups Consultancy. Besides, the study investigates  the digital capabilities of and how digital technologies enhance and increase the capability of Internet based Startups Consultancy firms. Five Internet based startup consultancy firms have been investigated. Case based qualitative research methodology has been followed. As research method semi-structured and informal interviews, and observation with the companies have been conducted. The study finds that Internet based digital technologies profoundly facilitate startup companies. From businesss creation to service delivery,  digital technologies have enormously increase  digital capabilities of internet startup firms. In addition to academic researchers, the outcome of the research will be particularly important for existing startups firms and future entrepreneurs who has plan to establish new startup.

The development from an industrial society to a digital society is ongoing, where digitalizationis an engine of development. Digitalization accelerates the necessity of developing traditional business models within organizations. Digitalization also has an impact on organizations and its development through the consumers. The needs of consumers have increased the pressure on organizations to establish new approaches to strategies, business flows and processes. The press to perform and develop has been particularly noted in the automotive industry. Organizations need to re-evaluate consumer needs and create digital business models that take advantage of new opportunities to generate competitiveness. Established organizations must act based on the changes generated by the new technology by updating and improving their traditional business model. In the event of failure, the organization risks being replaced by a competitor who is "faster" and "more efficient" in implementing significant innovations in their digital business model. The entire automotive industry is undergoing a trend that focuses on enhancing the use of digital solutions in a previously mechanically dominant industry. The purpose of the bachelor’s thesis is to investigate the impact of digitalization on traditional business models in the automotive industry. Other industries than the automotive industry are not affected by the study presented in this thesis in order not to risk the validity, transferability and reliability of the thesis. The thesis aims to treat the organization Volvo Cars and their work towards digitalization. A quality data collection method has been used as primary data when designing the empirical research at Volvo Cars to enable vicinity to the interviewee. Vicinity to the interviewee enables objectivity and understanding for the reality that is being studied. The study's conclusion shows that as a result of digitalization, organizations in the automotive industry need to increase the flexibility, reactivity and product individualization in order to create added value for the consumer through the implementation of digital solutions. The consumer is the main reason behind the digitalization and has the greatest impact on an organization's digital design.

Research Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the opportunities that COVID-19 crisis has created for SMEs, in particular those involving digital technologies. I also describe and how SMEs can improve their functionality, efficiency accessibility and sales by using these technologies for internationalization. Research Questions:  What international business opportunities do digitized SME’s find in the covid-19 lockdown? Methodology: This study is followed by qualitative research and inductive approach. The data collection was done by semi-structured online interviews. Ten people running small and medium-sized businesses are the convenience sample of the study. Findings: For the advancement of several digital platforms, SMEs are continuing their international operations during COVID 19 pandemic. Many SMEs forced to go online during the pandemic, which also helps them become global players. By utilizing social media, online payment platforms, online e-commerce marketplaces, regular SMEs are now converting as digital businesses. By adopting digital technology, SMEs are now able to work smoother than before by having new functionality, efficiency and accessibility. SMEs that involved with the digital business from long ago are also experiencing noticeable growth during the pandemic. On the other hand, some SMEs are also suffering as their overall business operation get interrupted by the pandemic.   Research Limitations: The total number of interviewed respondents was only 10 due to the limitation of time scope and all of the interview done online. A larger study sample with physical interview are a possible direction of future work.