An exploration of drivers and inhibitors of digital transformation in professional service firms : A multiple case study in management consulting industry

Abstract: Background: Professional services have not been digitally disrupted in more than decades. Different emerging technologies are changing the business environment today. The rapidly increasing amount of different available technologies are affecting organisations and their industries and require them to conduct digital transformation (DT). Yet little attention has been paid to professional service firms. This gap in the literature, together with the relevance of the topic guided the authors to research further what the specific influencing factors in the adoption of digital transformation in professional service firms (PSFs) are.  Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the underlying factors influencing and affecting DT in PSFs, one type of PSFs in particular - management consulting firms (MCFs). The aim is to find the most influential factors and better understand their effects on the adoption process. By exploring these factors, this study can contribute significantly to the existing literature and increase the understanding of the phenomenon.     Method: This is an exploratory qualitative multiple case study with four pilot interviews to create a broader and in-depth knowledge on the phenomenon, and 6 case companies to collect rich and insightful data. The qualitative approach of interviews created primary data for empirical findings which were further coded and analysed together with secondary data.     Conclusion: From the findings and analysis, the authors extended the TOE framework to fit the topic of DT in PSFs. This was created based on the empirical findings and analysis to answer the research question. Altogether, 15 factors were classified within the super-themes of technology, organisation, and environment with driving or inhibiting effects. The findings indicate that most factors found are organisational. However, some interesting contradictions were noted between the empirical findings from both primary data as well as the secondary data. The research demonstrates the similarities and the different perceptions of the phenomenon and therefore it provides insights and understandings of the topic in its specified context. What is more, it leaves room and suggestions for future research regarding DT in PSFs.