The Palgrave Handbook of Managing Continuous Business Transformation

This handbook provides a comprehensive and unparalleled reference point for studying continuous business transformation. Asserting that change will be the new normal and highlighting the fact that business transformation can never be complete, this important resource is a tool for coping with ongoing change in order to become and stay resilient, the predominant concern of executives across industries. Containing case study material to illustrate issues and solutions, The Palgrave Handbook of Managing Continuous Business Transformation takes an interdisciplinary approach weaving together strategic concepts with real-life experiences, connecting human resource issues with shifts in information technology and linking customers with the businesses from which they buy. Structured into four parts; transformational shifts, achieving customer centricity, dealing with new technology and leading the change,  this handbook is crucial reading for academics, scholars and practitioners of business transformation. 

“Businesses around the world have to cope with a continuously changing environment. This superb handbook provides a powerful collection of insights, concepts, and guidelines for a successful change strategy. It is the long-thought link between academic research and practical implementation of digitalization.” (Lutz Goebel – CEO, Henkelhausen; & President, Die Familienunternehmer, Germany)

“The new world of work requires organizations to invest in resilient and innovative business models. Taking examples from various industries, this handbook has distilled knowledge on achieving client centricity within a changing environment; it examines the impact of globalization and digitization on businesses embracing a client centric approach.” (Flocy Joseph, Human Capital Leadership Institute, Singapore Management University, Singapore)

“The world economy is transforming rapidly from an analogue to a digital-based technology-driven society; such a transformation requires businesses to move from a transactional relationship to one that that is interactional. This handbook uses applied research and an interdisciplinary approach to better understand the salient components of managing change through transformation.” (Arthur M. Langer, Director, Center for Technology Management, Columbia University, USA)

“Keeping up in a steadily changing business environment is challenging – and sometimes exhausting. But businesses, small and big, domestic and international, need to learn how to change and adapt, not only once but many times. This well-organized and timely handbook brings together a wealth of practical and research experience.” (David Patient, Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior, Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, Portugal)

“Market- and environment-related forces constantly mete out new pressure for change in a tightly interwoven network of cause-and-effect relationships. Change will be the new normal in tomorrow’s business environment. This book is a good compass of how to establish a resilient business model, and how to cope with change, both expected and unexpected.” (Naveen Rajdev – Chief Marketing Officer, Wipro)

“The impact of the current digitalization phenomenon on the business world is probably only comparable to the changes wrought by the industrial age. Now, many believe that we are undergoing a fourth industrial revolution. In such rapidly changing times, expert guidance, such as from this handbook, is highly appreciated.” (Michael Shepherd – Professor of Computing Science, Dalhousie University, Canada)

Horst Ellermann is Publisher of the CIO Magazine, co-founder of the ‘CIO Foundation’, and creator of the international network ‘CIOmove.com’. He publishes the ‘CIO Yearbook’ series about the future of Information Technology. Horst’s academic interests include media, political science, and psychology.

Peter Kreutter is Managing Director of the Wipro Center for Business Resilience at WHU, Otto Beisheim School of Management, Germany, where he is also Director of WHU Foundation. He is a member of the board of trustees of several foundations, and his academic research focuses on industry life cycles and the impact of digital disruption.

Wolfgang Messner is Clinical Associate Professor at the Moore School, University of South Carolina, US, and the Director of GloBus Research. He teaches, conducts research, and consults in areas such as strategic business decisions in a globalized world, international management, and intercultural communication. Wolfgang has written seven books, and published in academic journals.