Managing transformation pressure in large organizations : A case study on a product development organization in the transport and truck industry

Abstract: Why do some large organizations succeed during transformations and others do not? This thesis aims to contribute and expand the discussion of how product development capabilities could enable success during transformations. To investigate the problem, a qualitative case study was performed at a large transport and truck incumbent, Scania CV AB. The transport and truck industry is currently pressured to transform, both from a competitive and sustainability perspective. In order to become more adaptable to change, the thesis identified the importance of clearly applying ambidexterity as a strategy to cope with challenges that the transformation implies. However, when applying ambidexterity, interface challenges between exploitation and exploration occur. Success during transformations is mainly dependent on the management to handle those interface challenges properly. This thesis identified two main managerial practices that could benefit incumbents in the transport and truck industry to become more adaptable during a transformation phase. Firstly, a clear strategy of how to manage innovations over time could support large incumbents to leverage innovations for optimal experimentation, scalability, and later profit. Secondly, clear organizational alignment between functions to enhance communication and prioritization especially between exploitative and explorative business activities could support large incumbents to leverage radical innovations within the organization. This thesis argues that implementing structural ambidexterity combined with a clear and streamlined innovation transfer process in three distinct horizons for mature, growth, and future businesses will increase adaptability during transformation pressure. As the main area of future research, this thesis proposes to further investigate the opportunities of an open innovation strategy that leverages partnerships for co-creation in an increasingly interconnected transport ecosystem.