Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship

British Journal of Management Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.70037

Abstract While prior literature emphasizes that category schemas usually deter hybridization, hybrid production remains prevalent across many domains (e.g. films or innovations). For producers operating in these contexts, the central question is often not whether to span categories, but rather which categories to hybridize together. This suggests a need to shift the focus from the degree of category spanning to the patterns in which categories are hybridized. To address this, we distinguish category hybrids according to the contrast of their primary and secondary categories, and theorize the performance consequences of different hybrids. Through an analysis of the film industry, we find that hybrid films are better received by market audiences if their secondary categories are of higher contrast, particularly when their primary categories have low contrast. This lends support to our core claim that products’ secondary categories function as important information cues, clarifying how category hybrids’ primary identities are altered.

Fagbokforlaget

Strategy provides a systematic and comprehensive understanding of strategic decisions, strategy processes, and strategic organizing. The book offers insight into theories, analyses, processes, and tools that together form the foundation for developing and implementing strategy holistically. Strategy is research based but practice oriented, focusing on how to actually do strategic work. It builds on knowledge about strategy and strategy work in different types of organizations, developed over many years by researchers around the world. By distinguishing between different business models, Strategy is relevant not only for industrial firms but also for service firms and organizations more generally.

DRUID Working Paper Doi: https://conference.druid.dk/ac_papers/mpnr57zxbe9tue0oqkr14ng6c6nh7c.pdf

Early-stage investing relationships have been predicated on face-to-face interaction, in part to mitigate inherent information asymmetries. However, the global onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced a sudden, large-scale move to digital operations, thus questioning previous assumptions about physical location. We exploit the unprecedented move to digital delivery of accelerator cohorts, where investors are exposed to large numbers of startups for potential deals. We leverage a novel, deal-level dataset of 63,660 deals spanning 5,691 financing rounds, 1,630 startups and 8326 investors. The data comprises 30 accelerator programs focused on ‘green shift’ innovation and sustainability from 2018-2023. Results point to the digital shift paradoxically broadening the investor and startup base while also increasing agency concerns. We find evidence that these changes persist after the pandemic disruptions ended.

Academy of Management Proceedings 2025(1) Doi: https://doi.org/10.5465/amproc.2025.16598abstract

Early-stage investing relationships have been predicated on face-to-face interaction, in part to mitigate inherent information asymmetries. However, the global onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced a sudden, large-scale move to digital operations, thus questioning previous assumptions about physical location. We exploit the unprecedented move to digital delivery of accelerator cohorts, where investors are exposed to large numbers of startups for potential deals. We leverage a novel, deal-level dataset of 63,660 deals spanning 5,691 financing rounds, 1,630 startups and 8326 investors. The data comprises 30 accelerator programs focused on ‘green shift’ innovation and sustainability from 2018-2023. Results point to the digital shift paradoxically broadening the investor and startup base while also increasing agency concerns. We find evidence that these changes persist after the pandemic disruptions ended.

Academy of Management Proceedings 2025(1) Doi: https://doi.org/10.5465/amproc.2025.16188symposium

In the rapidly evolving digital economy, trust serves as a critical foundation for the success and sustainability of digital platforms. As intermediaries facilitating interactions and transactions between diverse stakeholders, platforms rely heavily on trust to attract users, enable collaboration, and drive engagement. However, the rise of algorithmic decision-making, opaque governance structures, and concerns over data privacy have introduced new complexities into how trust is built, maintained, and eroded in these ecosystems. This symposium explores trust in digital platforms through the lens of strategy and technology and innovation management, bringing together scholars and practitioners to examine its implications for competitive advantage, user retention, and long-term viability. Anchored in strategic management and technology and innovation management, the discussion will address key questions, such as: How do platforms design trust-enabling mechanisms, such as reputation systems and transparent governance? What role does trust play in scaling platform ecosystems, particularly in fostering user adoption and partnerships? How do regulatory pressures and ethical considerations shape trust dynamics in platform governance? The session will feature empirical and conceptual insights, highlighting the interplay between strategic choices and trust outcomes in digital environments. It will also provide a forum for discussing challenges, such as trust deficits arising from misinformation, algorithmic bias, and data breaches, and propose forward-looking strategies to address these risks.