Who is this research for? This research is relevant for senior technology leaders and business managers responsible for driving digital innovation within organizations built on mature enterprise systems.
Executive Summary
This research from Varun Grover at the Sam M. Walton College of Business (Department of Information Systems) draws on six case studies across multiple industries to examine how organizations drive innovation by combining established enterprise systems with newer technologies like mobile and cloud applications.
The study uses instrumental orchestration theory—originally developed to describe how a conductor coordinates different musical instruments—to explain how leaders combine enterprise systems and digital tools. In this comparison, the enterprise system acts like the stable foundation of the orchestra, while digital technologies are flexible instruments that can be brought in for specific parts of the “performance.” Innovation happens not just by connecting technologies, but by thoughtfully coordinating them based on their strengths, limitations, and the needs of the moment. For Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and line of business (LOB) managers, this approach may offer a path to faster, lower-risk innovation while preserving operational stability.
Action Items for Industry
- Stabilize before you modernize: Ensure core enterprise systems are in harmony – delivering reliable data and consistent processes – before adding new digital tools.
- Work on one section of your orchestra at a time: Improve a specific activity—such as real-time invoicing or mobile claims reporting—rather than attempting to redesign an entire business process.
- Let business units lead practical innovations: Like a conductor who changes the composition of a symphony based on the reactions of a crowd, encourage LOB managers to propose and pilot digital tools, while ensuring IT maintains control over core data and system integrity.
- Rehearse, refine, then cue the full performance: Launch small digital initiatives quickly, refine them based on user feedback, and expand only after they prove value.
Quote from the Researcher
“The real lesson for practice is that firms do not always need to rip and replace legacy systems to innovate. With the right orchestration, existing enterprise systems can become the backbone for faster, more scalable, and more sustainable digital innovation.”
– Varun Grover
Co-Authors & Affiliations
Sachithra Lokuge — University of Southern Queensland, School of Business, Law, Humanities and Pathways
Darshana Sedera — Southern Cross University, Faculty of Business, Laws and Arts
Suprateek Sarker — University of Virginia, McIntire School of Commerce
Link to the Original Research
Published in Information & Management, available here.
📩 Interested in learning more? If you’d like additional information about this research or to connect directly with the researchers, please email us at research@walton.uark.edu.
