Digital Operations: Autonomous Automation and the Smart Execution of Work

Management and Business Review, Vol 1, Issue 1, Winter 2021

11 Pages Posted: 17 Jun 2019 Last revised: 10 Apr 2021

See all articles by Robert N. Boute

Robert N. Boute

KU Leuven - Faculty of Business and Economics (FEB); Vlerick Business School - Operations & Technology Management Center

Jan A. Van Mieghem

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: May 6, 2020

Abstract

The integration of digital technologies is changing the way organizations operate and deliver value. Digitizing operations may replace manual work through increased automation, but it may also enable smarter execution of workflows thereby augmenting human work. Evaluating the level and reach of these three pillars--digitization, automation, and smart--across the organization’s value chain provides a diagnostic tool that can inspire future desired directions of digitization.

Keywords: digital, automation, autonomous, smart, machine learning, artificial intelligence, operations

JEL Classification: M10

Suggested Citation

Boute, Robert N. and Van Mieghem, Jan Albert, Digital Operations: Autonomous Automation and the Smart Execution of Work (May 6, 2020). Management and Business Review, Vol 1, Issue 1, Winter 2021, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3400186 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3400186

Robert N. Boute

KU Leuven - Faculty of Business and Economics (FEB) ( email )

Naamsestraat 69
Leuven, B-3000
Belgium

Vlerick Business School - Operations & Technology Management Center ( email )

Belgium

Jan Albert Van Mieghem (Contact Author)

Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management ( email )

2001 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
United States

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