Paper Type
Short
Paper Number
PACIS2025-1598
Description
Agility, which has long been known to drive the success of digital startups, is actually a major challenge to their long-term sustainability. Given the high failure rate of global startups, it is important to understand what the secret key is for the few companies that have managed to survive their dynamic environment. This research aims to uncover this by conducting a case study of a digital startup that has maintained its operations for over two decades. Using the Gioia methodology, the analysis identifies six emerging leadership roles that are key secrets in the startup ecosystem: Agile Navigator, Workflow Architect, Collaboration Mediator, Knowledge Agent, Solution Creator, and Customer Champion. To ensure construct validity, a survey interview was conducted with 41 employees across three different groups. This study introduces a hierarchical model based on the legitimacy of power across the six emerging roles, serving as a basis for further study by researchers.
Recommended Citation
Rozas, Indri Sudanawati; Er, Mahendrawathi; and Wibisono, Arif, "Understanding Emerging Roles in Balancing Agility and Corporate Sustainability in a Digital Startup" (2025). PACIS 2025 Proceedings. 8.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/pacis2025/it_strategy/it_strategy/8
Understanding Emerging Roles in Balancing Agility and Corporate Sustainability in a Digital Startup
Agility, which has long been known to drive the success of digital startups, is actually a major challenge to their long-term sustainability. Given the high failure rate of global startups, it is important to understand what the secret key is for the few companies that have managed to survive their dynamic environment. This research aims to uncover this by conducting a case study of a digital startup that has maintained its operations for over two decades. Using the Gioia methodology, the analysis identifies six emerging leadership roles that are key secrets in the startup ecosystem: Agile Navigator, Workflow Architect, Collaboration Mediator, Knowledge Agent, Solution Creator, and Customer Champion. To ensure construct validity, a survey interview was conducted with 41 employees across three different groups. This study introduces a hierarchical model based on the legitimacy of power across the six emerging roles, serving as a basis for further study by researchers.
Comments
Strategy