Business IT strategy in action : case study of #PUPRU

Abstract

Predicted key business IT trends through to 2020 acknowledge there will be increased adoption of disruptive technologies that will impact within business contexts (Gartner (1), 2015). These include moves to small-screen marketing, rising value of big data intelligence and increased use of social systems. However, IT penetration and literacy gaps between advanced and emerging economies, as well as social and organisational issues associated with technological implementation of business strategy, provide challenges to adoption of these trends. Strategy As Practice (SAP) presents a potential solution. It is concerned with the practice of strategising, including both the formulation of strategy and implementation that delivers strategic renewal and change. Through the “doing of strategy”, organisations not only gain an insight into strategic management from a theoretical level, but also can focus on micro-level social activities, process and practices that characterise both organisational strategy and strategising. In this paper, the Pop-Up Research Unit (#PUPRU), a newly-established mobile research centre in the Salford Business School (SBS) will be discussed. It aims to adopt a SAP approach to inform business strategy. Three disruptive technologies - Beacon, Raspberry Pi and 3D printer - available as part of #PUPRU will be examined. Future experiments in various business scenarios and live projects evaluating how these digital disrupters can be employed will also be considered.