Meet the research fellows: Xiaoguang Wu
Research scholar Xiaoguang Wu investigates how sustainability takes root in start-ups, combining sociological theory with data-driven methods at DIG.
DIG news and blogs
Research news and blogposts from DIG.
DIG Summit seminar November 5
DIG Summit program 2025_1706.pdf
DIG Summit - 4 and 5 November
DIG Summit program 2025_1706_toppleder.pdf
Meet the reserach fellows: Karen Modesta Olsen
Since joining NHH in 2007, Professor Karen Modesta Olsen has made her mark as a researcher in human resource management and employment relations.
Turning Silver into Gold
The Norwegian society is in the midst of a demographic shift, accentuating the need for knowledge on how to extend careers and create new business opportunities.
`There’s an AI tool for everything
This was how Professor Jesse Weltevreden summarized the situation when the research center DIG and researchers from Amsterdam presented the first comprehensive mapping of the Norwegian AI landscape.
AI sparks both unrest and excitement
Are you a pioneer or a skeptic? Four factors are essential for succeeding with AI as an effective workplace tool, according to a new master’s study.
AI for Organisations and Society: Challenges and Benefits
Recorded at the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) on 5 May 2025, this conversation brings innovation scholar Professor Tor W. Andreassen (NHH) together with leading marketing and AI authority Professor Roland T. Rust (University of Maryland).
Delivering for members through DIG-partnership
Virke is the main industry and employer association for the retail and services sector in Norway, with members from all parts of the sector. They gain insight, and with it, also more political relevance for their members through DIG.
Bram Timmermans and Lasse Lien | The AI-ladder
How can companies move from basic AI use to lasting competitive advantages? By climbing the AI ladder. With Professors Bram Timmermans and Lasse Lien from the research center DIG – Digital Innovation for Growth at the Norwegian School of Economics. The video is in Norwegian.
Meet the research fellows: Therese Egeland
How will AI change the way we collaborate, and how can we rethink work in an aging society? Researcher Therese Egeland shares her perspectives on the future of teamwork, the value of human interaction, and why demographic shifts could be an opportunity rather than a challenge.
Tor W. Andreassen Turns 70
Yes, you read that right. Tor W. Andreassen is turning 70. And as he said when looking at his birth certificate: “I don’t believe it.” Neither do we.
It’s a bad day if I haven’t written
Founder and one of the most prominent professors of DIG, Tor Wallin Andreassen marked his retirement from academia wowing to keep up the habit of a lifetime – writing and sharing insights, thoughts and opinions. A day without writing is a bad day, he said.
AI: The latest step in a long quest
Hear Professors Tor Wallin Andreassen of NHH and Mohamed Zaki from the Cambridge Service Alliance in conversation on what the newest AI-agents are all about. The same quest as the early robots – mimicking humans.
Insights from Mohamed Zaki on the future of AI agents
Professor Mohamed Zaki, Deputy Director of the Cambridge Service Alliance, recently visited NHH to speak about the future of AI.
Beyond the Algorithm: AI as a Business and Organizational Challenge
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often framed as a technical phenomenon—a matter of algorithms, data pipelines, and computing power. But this framing tells only part of the story.
Björn Schmeisser on rethinking international business
Our associate professor for strategy and organization at NHH, explores three different research problems from an international business perspective.
Technology that transforms
"As a leading provider of digital technologies such as 5G, fiber infrastructure, IoT solutions, artificial intelligence, data center services, and cybersecurity, we see how these technologies fundamentally transform both our customers' businesses and our own organization," says Frank Elter, Director of Telenor Research & Innovation (R&I), about the motives for partnering with DIG.
DIGDeeper skills seminar
Earlier in March, the DIGDeeper Master’s Thesis Programme Spring 2025 hosted its Skills Seminar, a cornerstone of our commitment to equipping students with advanced research and analytical capabilities.
Global Turbulence and Europe’s AI Response
We are witnessing an era of rapid and far-reaching global change—geopolitical tensions are rising, trade relations are being reshaped, and power balances are constantly in flux.
Meet the research fellows: Erik Lang
PhD candidate Erik Lang is looking forward to exploring innovation economics and strategy at DIG, focusing on disruptive technologies and their economic and societal impact.
Rethinking freelancing: The potential of alliance organizations
Christer André Flatøy has spent years studying freelancers and their experiences. His latest project, focusing on the alliance model, explores a unique organizational structure designed to address some of the uncertain conditions freelancers face.
Profiling DIG in communication with clients
KPMG Norway have two main reasons for their strategic partnership with DIG. – Norway needs to succeed with digital innovation, and KPMG wants to be at the front of that development, says Tormod Voje, Partner and head of technology enablement.
Future of Information Retrieval
Trust in ChatGPT versus Google and Wikipedia - or A New Future of Information Retrieval?
Recycling wins
Based on surveys where a total of 23,000 customers provided their feedback on a wide range of Norwegian companies, the verdict is clear. Tise, with its solution for buying and selling used clothing, is the winner.
No second chance for the machine
The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare holds significant promise, but individuals often prefer a human touch in decision-making, dislike being reduced to a percentage by algorithms and value dignity and respect which may be compromised by AI systems.
What to expect from the Norwegian Innovation Index
The 2024 Norwegian Innovation Index (NII) provides a comprehensive overview of Norway’s innovation landscape, showcasing both accomplishments and challenges.
AI for business and society
Just over a year ago, the Norwegian government and the Research Council of Norway launched an AI research initiative by inviting proposals for national AI research centers, with a total budget of 1 billion NOK.
Gjensidige using AI to increase customer value
The insurance company Gjensidige is a strategic partner with DIG. We spoke with the company's representative for the partnership with DIG, Simen Aasen Engebretsen, about how they are currently working on the topics DIG is concerned with and how they are using the collaboration.
From DIG to Leadership
In August 2025, Helge Thorbjørnsen will assume the role of rector at the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH), bringing valuable insights gained from his work at DIG to his new position.
Key Insigts from CES 2025
CES 2025 in Las Vegas attracted over 140,000 attendees and 4,000 exhibitors, showcasing how technology addresses sustainability, mobility, healthcare, and accessibility challenges.
10 AI-predictions for 2025
2024 was the year artificial intelligence (AI) dominated the media, the stock market, and consumers' daily lives. A search for "artificial intelligence" in Aftenposten yields 1,189 results. Generative AI, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, experienced the fastest adoption rate ever. The value of AI companies like Nvidia, Meta, and Alphabet soared.
Angelshaug and Andreassen on retail therapy
How do retail experiences influence customers' psychological well-being? A recent study led by Magne Angelshaug and Tor W. Andreassen, seeks to answer this question.
Meet Jonas Hammerschimdt
Jonas Hammerschmidt joined the DIG Research Centre in September as an Assistant Professor in Strategy and Management at NHH. Originally from Germany, Jonas brings a combination of academic expertise and professional experience to his new role.
Congratulating Lars A. Moen as PhD
DIG congratulates Lars Arvei Moen with his recent defence of his PhD dissertation on how some corporations achieve digital transformation quicker than others.
A DIG Christmas newsletter 2024
The Christmas lights are lit, and even without a single snowflake in sight on the Bergen sky, Christmas is approaching, and it's time for a Christmas letter.
Working together on seniors in the workforce
DIG and the Knowledge Center for Longer Working Lives will collaborate on research on how the workforce can facilitate employees staying longer in work, thereby helping to address societal challenges with an aging population.
Update Thinking on Economic Growth
For centuries, economic growth has been the ultimate measure of progress, grounded in efficiency and profit maximization. However, as environmental crises escalate and social inequalities deepen, this traditional model is no longer sufficient.
Tor on Burberry
Burberry is undergoing a major transformation under CEO Joshua Schulman, shifting from an exclusive “brand elevation” strategy to a model of accessible, functional luxury that respects the brand’s heritage.
Aruna on fixing
A new DIG study explores how concerns about social image stop us from repairing our products.
Lars A Moen - PhD Defense
Why do some firms perform digital transformation faster than others? Lars Arvei Moen is one of the PhD-students at DIG. He will hold his trial lecture on a prescribed topic and defend his thesis for the PhD degree at NHH on Friday 6 December.
Toppledermøte 2024
Rett før DIG Summit ble toppledere fra DIGs partnere og andre som var relevante for problemstillingen invitert til en CEO rundebordssamtale på NHH, for å diskutere utfordringene som virksomheter står overfor når KI skal implementeres som verktøy.
Rune Bjerke - DIG Fellow
Forskningssenteret DIG (Digital Innovation for Growth) har utnevnt tidligere konsernsjef i DNB, Rune Bjerke, til DIG Fellow. Denne utmerkelsen går til en person utenfor akademia som er synlig i det offentlige ordskiftet om DIGs forskningsområder, digitale innovasjoner for bærekraftig vekst.
DIG Summit 2024
KI var stikkordet under årets DIG Summit. Den nye teknologien har fått mye omtale, men hva kan vi vente oss, og hva blir konsekvensene for bedrifter og virksomheter? NHH-professor Lasse Lien satte tonen i sitt åpningsinnlegg under årets summit.
Best master thesis
Dorotea Rossi Kriscak has won the award for best master thesis at the Dept. of Strategy and Management at NHH for the period from fall 2022 to spring 2024.
Leder - nyhetsbrev
This effort comes in response to the growing need to understand how organizations can create and capture sustainable value from AI technologies.
Luisa Kunigham
With a diverse background spanning psychology, management consultancy, and leadership within NGOs, Luisa Mercedes Kunigham is now delving into the world of team dynamics and corporate strategy, as a research fellow at the DIG institute.
Capturing the Customer's Voice
Companies often struggle to maintain their competitive edge, and many eventually fail. Surprisingly, this failure isn't always due to complacency or poor management. Often, the very strategies that once led to success become the root of their downfall.
How to Create Gold from Silver Foxes?
The battle for the workforce and a decreasing number of active workers behind each retiree make senior policies in the workplace more important than ever.
New Chair of the Board
The DIG annual meeting 2024 elected Rune Skjelvan, CEO and Partner KPMG Norway, as new Chair of the DIG Board.
DIG welcomes Deloitte
DIG is most happy to welcome Deloitte, among the centre’s partners from the business world.
Impact award to Tina Saebi
DIG is very proud to congratulate Associate Professor Tina Saebi on receiving the Journal of Management Scholarly Impact Award.
The psychology of cheating: Why big businesses get the short end
A new DIG study looks into dishonesty among consumers, in relation to business-size bias.
DIG in Singapore
In July 2024, Ivan Belik embarked on an academic visit to the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, representing the DIG Center.
DIG at Arendalsuka 2024
What an amazing kickoff to Arendalsuka! Amidst nearly 400 AI-focused events throughout the week, it was incredibly exhilarating to see a full house as Digital Innovation for Sustainable Growth at NHH led a vibrant discussion.
The Decline of Milton Friedman's Shareholder Doctrine
Milton Friedman’s shareholder-first doctrine is in decline in favour of the stakeholder doctrine, which posits that businesses should create value not just for shareholders but also for all stakeholders.
The Norwegian Innovation Index: Pioneering Customer-Centric Innovation Measurement
Developed by NHH Norwegian School of Economics, the Norwegian Innovation Index (NII) offers unparalleled insight into customer perceptions of innovation within Norwegian companies.
Social Profit Orientation: Pioneering a New Leadership Style and Corporate Strategy
Businesses are increasingly called upon to address global challenges, with Social Profit Orientation emerging as a transformative strategy that transcends traditional profit motives.
Beyond the Rainbow
As corporations increasingly align with social causes, the phenomenon of "rainbow washing"—superficial support for LGBTQ+ rights—has come under scrutiny. This article explores how to distinguish genuine corporate advocacy from mere marketing tactics, examines the impact of each on the LGBTQ+ community, and provides a roadmap for authentic corporate support.
How Football Rivalries Could Boost Recycling at Stadiums
A DIG study explores the complexities of waste management at large events, aiming to uncover new strategies to promote sustainable practices among football fans.
Lifetime Achievement Award to Andreassen
Professor Tor W. Andreassen has been honored with the “Johan Arndt Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Can Technology Save the Health and Care Sector?
The health and care sector is facing critical challenges that require collaboration between private and public actors and innovative solutions to ensure sustainable well-being for all residents. Can technology be the key to transforming and saving our healthcare system for future generations?
Thought Leader Conference and IIC Summit
Digital innovation in an aging society was at the forefront when researchers gathered at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid for the Thought Leader Conference followed by the 4th Innovation Index Coalition (IIC) Summit in mid-May.
PhD Defense: The role of identity in access-based consumtion
DIG congratulate Katrine Berg Nødtvedt who held a trial lecture and defended her thesis for the PhD degree at NHH on Tuesday 15 May.
DIG Study Trip to the University of Cambridge
DIG partners and researchers recently visited the University of Cambridge to learn, explore and discuss AI in business, innovation and services.
AI from Strategy to Implementation
The DIG Corporate workshop: “AI from Strategy to Implementation”, was organized in collaboration with our strategic partner Gjensidige. At the workshop we sought to explore the journey of artificial intelligence (AI), from a strategic viewpoint to its practical application in organizations.
Welcoming Kristina Heinonen
We are thrilled to welcome Kristina Heinonen, who has recently started as adjunct professor at the DIG research center.
Enhancing AI service adoption through trust in companies
By understanding and addressing consumer concerns related to AI autonomy, companies can more effectively integrate AI into their service offerings, ensuring both consumer satisfaction and commercial success, writes the Danish IIC team.
Retail Innovation for Customers’ Well-being
While shopping is considered to improve individual well-being, certain aspects of shopping detract from well-being.
Four learning points from Google’s AI adventure
Google’s AI journey serves as a cautionary tale for industry leaders on the importance of agility and innovation in maintaining market dominance.
Four key lessons on AI strategy for leaders
As artificial intelligence (AI) changes industries and businesses globally, various AI approaches in the media industry offer insights into strategies for making businesses more resilient to future challenges.
Google goes behind paywalls. Why should we care?
As artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLM) revolutionize the digital world, businesses are reaching a crucial turning point in redefining their value creation and capture strategies. Google's venture into premium AI services serves as a prime example of this transition, underscoring a widespread industry move towards inventive, value-centric models.
Daniel Kahneman has stepped out of time
His thinking will prevail.
Visual makeover
We're thrilled to announce that DIG, Research Center for Digital Innovation for Sustainable Growth (DIG) at NHH Norwegian School of Economics, has undergone a visual makeover! We've adopted a fresh, new visual expression to better reflect our mission and the innovative work we do.
The terror of an error
In his midway evaluation “The terror of an error: How our relationship to our team members effects our reactions to their mistakes”, PhD candidate Silas Braun presented his preliminary research on the significance of acknowledging and understanding reactions to mistakes within team settings.
Giving Voice to Values-based Leadership
A New Book by Frank Elter and Gry Espedal provides practical ideas of how leaders can work on becoming conscious of both the organization’s explicit and implicit values, as well as working on the direction of the organization and its broader organizational culture.
AI and competitive advantage
The AI revolution is coming, but how can you and your business gain a competitive advantage? Listen to the Leadership podcast with Eirik Sjåholm Knudsen, professor of strategy at NHH.
Fighting Loneliness with Service Innovation
The global epidemic of loneliness requires innovative solutions beyond traditional approaches. Social entrepreneurs can play a vital role in addressing this issue, particularly through their collaboration with the government sector, to develop sustainable and impactful strategies. By leveraging the strengths of both domains, we can forge a path towards a more connected and supportive society.
Advertising Agencies: How to Survive the AI Tsunami
The digital revolution, driven by AI, requires advertising agencies to quickly adapt to new ways of creating and capturing value.
DIG is hiring student assistants
DIG - Digital Innovation for sustainable Growth - is hiring student research and administrative assistants. Application deadline is 3 March.
Innovation Strategies for the Present and Future
For long-term survival, businesses must survive in the short term. To succeed, leaders need better tools.
Partnership as Strategy
In an era of innovation and digital transformation, the DIG Corporate Workshop at Telenor highlighted the importance of partnerships and alliances in navigating this transformation.
Welcoming Yngvar Ugland
We are excited to welcome Yngvar Ugland, who has recently started a part-time affiliation with the DIG research center. As a leading figure in consumer technology at DNB and the Division Director of DNB NewTechLab, Yngvar brings a wealth of expertise to DIG.
Five intensive months at Stern
PhD research Scholar Olivia Kim spent the 2023 fall semester at NYU Stern School of Business. Here she shares some of her experiences from the exchange.
CES 2024: Implications for Innovation and Sustainable Growth
The Consumer Electronics Show 2024 reaffirmed the importance of continuing to bridge the gap between groundbreaking technology and practical, sustainable market applications, reports Professor Tor W. Andreassen from Las Vegas.
Christmas Greetings from DIG
As we approach the conclusion of 2023, the Digital Innovation for Sustainable Growth (DIG) team would like to take a moment to extend our warmest wishes to all our partners, friends, and followers. It has been an eventful year, and we are excited to share some of our highlights and plans for the upcoming year.
The successful entrepreneur is not who you think
While the typical entrepreneur might be a young tech-savvy individual, the successful entrepreneur is more likely to be a mature midlife person.
Front lines on adoption of digital and AI-based services
The phd-course «Front lines on adoption of digital and AI-based services” was organized for the first time this semester. Professor Tor W. Andreassen was the course responsible and many researchers at DIG contributed to the course.
Dig Fellow 2023 Håkon Haugli
CEO of Innovation Norway, Håkon Haugli, has been appointed DIG Fellow 2023.
Why leaders must innovate in challenging times, too!
In challenging times, when money is scarce, businesses must innovate in areas that cost the least but mean the most to key customers.
How to best spend one billion on AI
The Norwegian government has allocated one billion Norwegian kroner over five years for research on artificial intelligence (AI). The question is how we can best utilize this potential. Should we research the development of AI, or should we research how to best reap the benefits of AI in businesses?
Turning Challenges into Opportunities: Thriving Amidst Change
Change is the only constant in life. In all our roles—as citizens, employees, customers, investors, or leaders—we must navigate the ever-present currents of change, even as we yearn for stability. This tension can be taxing, and regrettably, it doesn't become any easier with age.
AI and Business Education
During the past spring semester, AI and large language models have made their entrance into the educational sector, including business education. With the growing presence of AI, students need to move beyond basic familiarity and engage more deeply, questioning and adapting to these tools.
Research Update: Ivan Belik's Research Visit to Canadian Universities
In the spring and summer of 2023, Ivan Belik embarked on an enriching research visit to Canada, representing both NHH and the DIG Center. This visit proved to be a remarkable opportunity for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and expanding our network within the international research community.
DIG Annual Meeting 2023
The DIG Annual Meeting 2023 kicked off with a warm welcome from Director of DIG Bram Timmermans, setting the stage for a day filled with enriching presentations, reflections, and updates
A Pioneering Seminar on "The Future of Non-Competes
In our relentless pursuit of fostering digital innovation for sustainable growth, understanding the constraints and facilitators becomes paramount. Non-compete clauses, while essential in the US dialogue, have lost traction in Norway since our 2016 legislative shift. We aimed to recenter this discourse, spotlighting its potential to influence growth.
Retail in vibrant change
BEST in Retail is a research program at the research center DIG, at NHH. The goal is to explore how the retail industry can organize itself through concepts like ecosystems, with the aim of creating additional value for customers. This falls within DIG's broader research on new business models.
DIG in Arendalsuka
Arendalsuka is the largest political gathering in Norway held annually in mid-August since 2012. For five days, the city of Arendal is filled with an interesting and educational variety of exhibitions and events.
Promotion for DIG affiliated researcher
Eirik Sjåholm Knudsen has been promoted to full professor at NHH Norwegian School of Economics.
Study trip to HEC Paris
Well back from inspiring and wonderful days at HEC and Station F in Paris we reflect on new insights and key takeaways.