Recently, Dr. Sai LAN, together with three co-authors published an academic paper. Titled “Paving the way for incumbents' digital transformation. A review and research agenda,” the paper has been officially published online in the renowned international management journal European Management Review.

The research addresses a central challenge in contemporary global business practice: the digital transformation of incumbent firms. Through a systematic literature review, the paper provides an in-depth analysis of the key obstacles, driving factors, and implementation pathways that established companies encounter when embracing digital technologies, reshaping business models, and reorganizing structures. Not only does the study synthesize existing academic knowledge, but it also proposes a clear agenda for future research, aiming to provide directional guidance for subsequent theoretical exploration and management practice.

This work by Professor Lan and his collaborators carries substantial theoretical and practical importance. Theoretically, it establishes a systematic knowledge framework for the field and identifies critical research gaps. Practically, its findings offer evidence-based insights and actionable references for executives, strategic decision-makers, and consultants in traditional companies undergoing or planning digital transformation. This can assist organizations in more systematically and effectively planning and executing digital strategies to build sustainable competitive advantages in an increasingly fierce market.

As a core scholar in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation at emlyon business school, the publication of this research by Professor Sai Lan once again highlights the school's outstanding capability in advancing cutting-edge management knowledge creation and bridging academic scholarship with business practice.

Publication Details:

Anna Bastonex, Luigi Mosca, Christopher L. Tucci, Sai Lan (2025). Paving the way for incumbents' digital transformation. A review and research agenda. European Management Review. Published Online.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/emre.70038

About Professor Sai LAN

Sai LAN

Associate Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

DBA Supervisor at emlyon business school Academic Director of EDP Program

Associate Operation Director of Business

Intelligence Center (BIC)

Dr. LAN has inter-disciplinary education background and rich work experiences in the IT industry in US, such as software architect for tech giant Motorola Inc., and several startup companies in Chicagoland. Dr. Lan earned his PhD in Strategy and Entrepreneurship from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Then he became a faculty member of Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS) and served as the founding director of PHBS Research Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. Dr. LAN’s research interests focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, with special interests in digital platform, open source software ecosystems, and digital transformation.

Dr. LAN has many SSCI and CSSCI journal publications, peer-reviewed academic book chapters, and paper presentations in major academic conferences, including Best Paper Awards in AOM and AIB annual conferences. He used to serve as the Asia Representative for the Academy of Management (AOM) STR division. Dr. LAN provided media commentaries for Bloomberg，Shenzhen TV, Phoenix TV, TV Korea, China Daily, Southern Daily, and Global Talents, etc. He also provided consulting and executive training services to companies like Huawei, Rolandberger, Accenture, Byte Dance, China Post, and many tech startups.