Beyond Digital vs. IT: The Untold Story of Their Relationship from an Organizing Logic Perspective
研究了三家数字化转型企业中数字部门与IT部门的互动关系，发现三种动态关系，并提出了管理这些动态的三点建议，帮助管理者促进跨部门协作。
Organizations often feature digital and information technology (IT) units, suggesting that managers perceive digital technology as different from IT. However, these units do not coexist in silos; rather, they interact in pursuit of organizational goals. In this study, we investigate the interactions between the digital and IT units of three organizations undergoing digital transformation. We find that these interactions reflect three relationships with varying dynamics. The interplay of these dynamics shape organization’s digital transformation efforts. We outline three considerations for managing these dynamics productively. First, we outline conditions that determine the dynamic (e.g., synergistic or conflicting) more likely to manifest. These conditions depend on the (in)compatibility between the units’ need to interact and the strategic, routine or technology rationales they draw on. We caution against seeking compatibility at all costs. Rather, managers should consider the context of each interaction before deciding how to influence these dynamics. Second, we found that interpersonal relationships, hiring talent with diverse perspectives, or establishing idea exchange forums can help to foster productive collaborations. However, they alone do not determine these dynamics. Third, cross-unit relationships is important for accomplishing organizational goals like digital transformation. Managers should proactively nurture such relationships to foster collaboration among units.