Digital Transformation in Information Systems Research: a Taxonomy-based Approach to Structure the field

Digital transformation becomes increasingly important to business research and practice. Transforming businesses poses various opportunities (e.g., creating novel business models) but, in contrast, constitutes numerous of challenges (e.g., changing processes and organizational structures). As Information Systems (IS) can support such transformation, it is assumed that it has great potential in digitalization too. Thus, there is a rising amount of digital transformation-literature in IS. However, because of the popularity as well as heterogeneous fields of application and types of research, a consolidated overview of digital transformation is necessary. Accordingly, this study derives a taxonomy of digital transformation to structure the field. Based on (1) a literature review and (2) a taxonomydevelopment approach, we developed a taxonomy that consists of research-relevant aspects (e.g., most studies use qualitative approaches; limited studies use design science research) as well as topicrelated aspects (e.g., manufacturing and public sectors, enterprise architecture, knowledge and technology are focused). Additionally, through (3) a cluster analysis, four areas could be identified: business strategies/models, working culture, technology, and skills/knowledge. Overall, by providing such a taxonomy we aim to contribute to a better characterization of digital transformation in IS research.

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