Digital strategies: universities and fields of study as the agents of change?

We used qualitative and quantitative research methods (Alasuutari 2015). We used standard descriptive statistics and multivariate methods (esp. multiple correspondence analysis) to depict the adoption of digitalization in the Swiss field of universities quantitatively (Tratschin et al. 2023; Leder & Tratschin 2022). We complemented this perspective with a qualitative-reconstructive paradigm to analyse and assess the academic initiatives and activities on digital change and innovation (cf. Maxwell 2012). To develop an empirically based understanding of different actor perceptions, i.e. different priorities and conceptions of relevance towards digital change, we conducted in-depth case studies. This research strategy took the lack of concepts and empirical research on the distinct strategies and perspectives into account: We deemed a qualitative and inductive approach appropriate, since this is most suitable for exploratory research. Our qualitative research created opportunities for more deductive-quantitative investigations.