Exploring the impact of absorptive capacity to navigate the challenges of uncertainty in digitalization projects

Abstract

Purpose

This research fills a gap in digitalization project studies by exploring them through the lens of organizational learning. It investigates the impact of uncertainty on digitalization project success and the role of absorptive capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach is adopted, incorporating qualitative and quantitative analyses. The qualitative part assesses how uncertainty affects digitalization project success, while the quantitative side explores absorptive capacity as a mediating factor between adaptability to uncertainty and project success.

Findings

The qualitative results uncover challenges facing digitalization projects under uncertainty and suggests coping strategies at individual, project, and organizational levels. Quantitative results show that both potential and realized absorptive capacities significantly mediate the link between adaptability to uncertainty in the environment and project success.

Originality/value

This research offers new insights into digitalization project studies, merging organizational learning theory with a mixed-methods approach. It highlights how uncertainty and absorptive capacity influence digitalization project success.

Citation

Ngereja, B.J., Hussein, B. and Wolff, C. (2024), "Exploring the impact of absorptive capacity to navigate the challenges of uncertainty in digitalization projects", International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, Vol. 17 No. 4/5, pp. 618-643. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-01-2024-0013