Abstract
This paper examines digital transformation in relation to occupational change. As digital transformation has implications for roles and practices in organizations, the study focuses on the relation between organizational-level role dynamics and occupational-level changes. Given that an increasing number of occupations beyond IT and digitalization are becoming more actively involved in digital transformation, the paper asks: How does a non-IT occupation navigate transitions to a more active role in digital transformation? Through a qualitative study of public sector records management in Norway, three interrelated jurisdictional moves are identified: ways in which this occupation constructs and enacts claims to an expanded jurisdiction in relation to its past role, in relation to other groups, and in relation to technology. The study examines the occupation’s symbolic behaviors as well as the uncertainties and ambiguities associated with each of these moves to analyze the liminality of occupational change. The paper suggests that IS research can more fully understand digital transformation by engaging with occupational dynamics.
Recommended Citation
Hornemann, Steffen, "The Liminality of Occupational Change: A Jurisdictional Perspective on Records Management in Norway" (2026). 17th Scandinavian Conference on Information Systems. 3.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/scis2026/3