The global phenomenon of digitization sets the scene for our research. New, digital technologies such as Social Mobile Analytic & Cloud (SMAC) do not only permeate but also transform the economy and society fundamentally. Organizations must adapt to this change and transform themselves in a way that allows for meeting the challenges and exploiting the options opened by digitization (see Figure below). These include, among others, trade in digital spheres (digital market places), the advent of digital products, the digital representation and connection of physical products (Internet of Things), the involvement of customers into digital production processes (Prosuming) etc. Digitalization also changes the way people live and work (Knowledge Society, Leisure Society). So-called Digital Natives, for example, that are familiar with modern information technology from their childhood on, do not only represent new types of customers and employees to organizations, but also take a strong role in the development of digital common property (Digital Commons).   

In fact, digital technologies are drivers of societal and economic change. They are also tools in the hands of organization that can empower and enable them to keep up with the pace of societal and economic change going on. Using digital IT in this way, however, is not trivial and calls for dedicated management competences. We subsume these competences, which are key to managing organizations in the Digital Age, under the label of “Information {Technology |Systems) Management”.