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Adoption of Digital Technology in Corporate R&D Context

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Information Systems (EMCIS 2019)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing ((LNBIP,volume 381))

Abstract

Achieving tangible benefits from digitalization often requires changes in processes, culture and reward systems. This need is especially acute in research and development, yet the attitudes and skills of R&D staff may impede their use of automation. We examine the ongoing digitalization of R&D activities at Unilever. Using thematic analysis, we analyze in-depth interviews to uncover attitudes towards, and experiences with, digitalization of R&D using robots. We build on these findings and conduct sequence analysis to extract a number of within-interview sequential associations between themes. These associations have been mapped onto patterns aligned with four established models of digitalization and IT adoption: the Technology Acceptance Model, Resistance to Change, Task Technology Fit and Process Virtualization.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, Manchester, M15 6PB, UK

    Chao Li, Nikolay Mehandjiev, Andrew James, Azar Shahgholian, Joseph Lampel & Matthew Allen

Authors
  1. Chao Li
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  2. Nikolay Mehandjiev
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  3. Andrew James
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  4. Azar Shahgholian
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  5. Joseph Lampel
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  6. Matthew Allen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nikolay Mehandjiev .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus

    Marinos Themistocleous

  2. British University in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Maria Papadaki

Appendices

Appendix 1: Managerial Questions

Managerial questions

(General questions to Managers to get context to Unilever digitization/automation)

1. The term “digitization” is widely used today, both within Unilever and elsewhere. What does digitization mean to you? How do your colleagues interpret the term? Does their interpretation differ significantly from yours? If so, in what way?

2. In your opinion, what are the MAIN reasons UNILEVER is introducing digitization?

3. How far have you progressed with digitization?

4. What have been the challenges? What have been the challenges for others do you think?

5. Have the working practices of staff changed as a result of digitization?

6. How do you see the introduction of digitization in the near to medium future?

Appendix 2: Questions for MIF R&D Scientists

Managerial questions

(General questions to Managers to get context to Unilever digitization/automation)

1. What part does the MIF play in your role?

2. What were your expectations of the MIF before you began working here?

3. What does MIF mean for the way that you work?

4. What training have you received for MIF?

5. How long did it take you to feel mastery of the work process?

6. What are the main challenges that you’ve faced?

7. How has your experience compared to that of your colleagues?

8. More widely, do you have any views about the introduction of digitization in Unilever?

Appendix 3: Reclassification of Codes

Reclassification of codes

Communication quality

Includes codes

Change in vision and language used to communicate change Management commitment;

Relationship management;

Top management awareness

Employee-

management relationship

Consultation;

Management style;

Performance measurement and Incentives

Facilitating Conditions

Financial compensation for extra travel;

Support for adoption;

Training;

Incentives

Intention to use

Engaging;

Excited;

Positive

Job security

Fearful

Organizational factors

Differences between categories;

Different levels of staff access to MIF;

Lack of formal change management process;

Role of champions;

Resource allocation;

Perceived compatibility

Work habits;

Inappropriate expectations of the technology;

The need for new skill sets;

Previous experience using robots

Perceived ease of use

Travel to work;

Location change;

Learning of new skills

Perceived usefulness

High expectation;

Data sharing;

Productivity;

Better experimentation - data utilization;

Better experimentation - new possibilities;

Better experimentation - standardization;

Collaboration;

Competitive threats;

Efficiency/accuracy/repeatability;

Supplier specification;

Disrupt through digital;

Efficiency/added value;

Global R&D/internal sharing;

New approach to research

Resistance to change

Hesitate;

Negative;

Resistant;

Sceptical;

Established work habits

Experimental methods;

Time management

Task characteristics

Technology characteristics

Logistics;

Commissioning and validating robots;

Data quality;

ICT infrastructure;

Perceived unreliability of the technology;

Standardization;

Technical limits of automation - measuring intangible aspects;

Translating physical to automated processes;

Trust in robot generated data

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Li, C., Mehandjiev, N., James, A., Shahgholian, A., Lampel, J., Allen, M. (2020). Adoption of Digital Technology in Corporate R&D Context. In: Themistocleous, M., Papadaki, M. (eds) Information Systems. EMCIS 2019. Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, vol 381. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44322-1_41

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44322-1_41

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-44321-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-44322-1

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