The Selection and Training Framework (STF) for Managers in in (e-)Business Innovation Transformation Projects-the Literature Review

Abstract

In this article, as one in a planned series of articles related to the research of failure rates in business transformation projects, the authors present the literature review. This research deals with one of the riskiest factors in transforming a traditional business environment (BE) into an innovative and automated BE: the role of the business and (e-)business transformation manager (BTM). The current literature has not sufficiently investigated the BTM's capacities to carry out such projects and especially his or her capacities to finalize the implementation phase. There is a lack of a holistic approach to the topic. This research phase concentrates on the resources related to the optimal BTM profile, one who would be capable of successfully completing the implementation. Therefore, this literature review verifies the resources related to the preferred BTM characteristics that make it possible to cope with complex e-business automation projects; projects which mainly fail because of the BTM's lack of concrete knowledge required for the implementation. It is important to understand that these projects need a set of specific skills. This set of skills must also encompass the knowledge of real-time integrated business environments, knowledge of organizational behaviour-change and implementation know-how. The researchers recommend the profile of a polyvalent technocrat as the base profile for the BTM of such projects that require cross- functional skills.