Avoiding Digitalization Traps : Tools For Top Managers

Digital transformation is fundamentally changing the business landscape. It is also affecting the role of top managers within firms. Our survey of more than 160 senior managers in Europe suggests that digitalization, rather than encouraging more decentralized forms of management, will lead to an expanded role of headquarters and further empowerment of top managers. While acknowledging the benefits of the digital transformation, we identify five key challenges for newly empowered top managers and offer solutions for these “digitalization traps.”