Abstract
Technology pivots help digital startups, which are operating in environments of great uncertainty, to make considerable adjustments to the technology underpinning their products. Technology pivots are resource intensive and risky endeavors, especially while growing into viable and sustainable businesses. For these reasons, a well composed team able to perform these pivots effectively is required. While existing research focuses on the identification of antecedents and consequences of technology pivots, we provide insights as to whether digital startups apply anticipatory mindsets throughout team composition, starting early with the formulation of job advertisements. We analyze the extent to which the antecedents of technology pivots form part of job advertisements published by digital startups. Performing a content analysis on 510 IT job advertisements we find very limited references to the (non-)technical antecedents of technology pivots. Our study provides the basis for research extending beyond the analysis of antecedences and consequences of technology pivots.
Recommended Citation
Bohn, Nicolai, "Do Digital Startups Prepare for Technology Pivots? - An Initial Analysis of Job Adverts" (2019). AMCIS 2019 Proceedings. 6.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2019/ebusiness/ebusiness/6
Do Digital Startups Prepare for Technology Pivots? - An Initial Analysis of Job Adverts
Technology pivots help digital startups, which are operating in environments of great uncertainty, to make considerable adjustments to the technology underpinning their products. Technology pivots are resource intensive and risky endeavors, especially while growing into viable and sustainable businesses. For these reasons, a well composed team able to perform these pivots effectively is required. While existing research focuses on the identification of antecedents and consequences of technology pivots, we provide insights as to whether digital startups apply anticipatory mindsets throughout team composition, starting early with the formulation of job advertisements. We analyze the extent to which the antecedents of technology pivots form part of job advertisements published by digital startups. Performing a content analysis on 510 IT job advertisements we find very limited references to the (non-)technical antecedents of technology pivots. Our study provides the basis for research extending beyond the analysis of antecedences and consequences of technology pivots.