Digitally Transforming Industries - By Design and Happenstance: An Investigation of the Smart Grid Transformation

Abstract
Despite the increasing interest in the digital transformation of organizations, very few studies examine digital transformation at the industry level. However, industry-level studies are essential for understanding not only how information systems (IS) shape industries, but also how industries shape the design, adoption, and use of IS. This research responds to this limitation in the IS literature by investigating the smart grid transformation occurring in the electricity industry. Using a grounded theory approach that traces the experience of an exemplar case study, we find that dynamic stability emerges as an important industry capability during periods of transformation. Paradoxically, this capability allows the industry to undertake radical changes associated with digitalization, while maintaining essential services to customers and society. We further develop a conceptual process model demonstrating the influences between IS, industries, and organizations during industry-level digital transformation

Biography
Jacqueline Corbett is Associate Professor of Management Information Systems in the Faculty of Business Administration at Université Laval in Quebec City, Canada. She holds a Ph.D. (MIS), an M.B.A (Finance) and a B.A. (Honours, Business Administration). Prior to obtaining her Ph.D., Jacqueline worked for 15-years in the Canadian FinTech sector. Jacqueline’s current research interests concern the design and use of information and new technologies to support sustainability. She is particularly interested in broad industry and societal transformations associated with the smart electricity grid, smart cities, and clean technologies. Her research has been funded by the Fonds de recherche du Quebec, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Jacqueline has published research in top IS and management journals, such as Information Systems Journal, JAIS, Journal of Business Ethics, and Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, and has presented at international IS conferences. She collaborates with researchers in several countries.