Alternative Futures for the Digital Transformation: A Macro-Level Schumpeterian Perspective

This paper develops and deploys a theoretical framework for assessing the prospects of cluster technologies driving what is often called digital transformation. There considerable uncertainty regarding this transformation’s future trajectory, to understand bound that uncertainty, we build on Schumpeter’s macro-level theory economy-wide, technological revolutions work several scholars who have extended theory. In perspective, such revolutions’ trajectories are shaped primarily by interaction changes within between three spheres—technology, organization, public policy. We enrich account identifying critical problems collective choices among competing solutions those together shape trajectory each revolution. argue transformation represents new phase in wider arc information communication technology revolution—a promising much deployment—and deployment depends be made organization policy spheres. Combining 2 × matrix two main alternative offer these spheres, identify four scenarios transformation: authoritarianism, oligarchy, localism, democracy. discuss how can help us trace