Difficulties to digitalize: ambidexterity challenges in law firms

IF 3.9 3区 管理学 Q2 BUSINESS
Charlotta Kronblad, Johanna E. Pregmark, Rita Berggren
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引用次数: 1

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to understand what prevents established law firms from embracing digitalization and discusses barriers to solving the emerging ambidexterity problem. Law firms have been organized in the same way for decades. However, digital opportunities are emerging and new competitors are challenging established firms. This presents established law firms with an ambidexterity problem: How can law firms simultaneously uphold their successful way of working while entering a new world of digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning?Design/methodology/approachPrevious research suggests that law firms are slow in digital transformation, compared to other Professional Service Firms (PSFs). In this paper, the authors explore why this happens. Interview data from representatives in law firms are complemented with data from architects as well as legal industry data and field notes. The data have been analyzed to spot patterns and emerging themes.FindingsThe authors find that established law firms face structural and cultural barriers to applying ambidextrous solutions. When comparing law firms with architecture firms, the authors see that while established architecture firms have combined digital exploration with ongoing exploitation, established law firms have focused on exploitation, leaving digital exploration to new legal tech firms. This difference can be attributed to industry context and professional culture.Originality/valueThis paper shows that both structural and contextual ambidexterity is a challenge for established law firms. This paper contributes to the understanding of barriers to embrace digital technology, and supports practitioners in efforts to remove these barriers.
数字化的困难:律师事务所的双重挑战
目的本文旨在了解是什么阻碍了老牌律师事务所接受数字化,并讨论了解决新出现的二元性问题的障碍。几十年来,律师事务所一直以同样的方式组织。然而,数字机遇正在出现,新的竞争对手正在挑战老牌公司。这给老牌律师事务所带来了一个双重难题:律师事务所如何在进入数字化、人工智能和机器学习的新世界的同时,坚持其成功的工作方式?设计/方法/方法先前的研究表明,与其他专业服务公司(PSF)相比,律师事务所在数字化转型方面进展缓慢。在这篇论文中,作者探讨了为什么会发生这种情况。律师事务所代表的访谈数据由建筑师的数据以及法律行业数据和现场笔记补充。对数据进行了分析,以发现模式和新出现的主题。研究结果作者发现,老牌律师事务所在应用双向解决方案方面面临结构性和文化障碍。在将律师事务所与建筑事务所进行比较时,作者发现,虽然老牌建筑事务所将数字探索与持续开发相结合,但老牌律师事务所专注于开发,将数字探索留给了新的法律技术公司。这种差异可以归因于行业背景和职业文化。原创性/价值本文表明,结构和情境的双重性对老牌律师事务所来说都是一个挑战。本文有助于理解接受数字技术的障碍,并支持从业者努力消除这些障碍。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
8.00
自引率
15.20%
发文量
29
期刊介绍: Formerly known as Managing Service Quality – Impact Factor: 1.286 (2015) – the Journal of Service Theory and Practice (JSTP) aims to publish research in the field of service management that not only makes a theoretical contribution to the service literature, but also scrutinizes and helps improve industry practices by offering specific recommendations and action plans to practitioners. Recognizing the importance of the service sector across the globe, the journal encourages submissions from and/or studying issues from around the world. JSTP gives prominence to research based on real world data, be it quantitative or qualitative. The journal also encourages the submission of strong conceptual and theoretical papers that make a substantive contribution to the scholarly literature in service management. JSTP publishes double-blind peer reviewed papers and encourages submissions from both academics and practitioners. The changing social structures and values, as well as new developments in economic, political, and technological fields are creating sea-changes in the philosophy, strategic aims, operational practices, and structures of many organizations. These changes are particularly relevant to the service sector, as public demand for high standards increases, and organizations fight for both market share and public credibility. The journal specifically addresses solutions to these challenges from a global, multi-cultural, and multi-disciplinary perspective.
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