13394: Managing Technological Transitions: From Machines to Software and AI in the Automotive Industry

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

15:30 - 17:00 CEST (GMT+2)

Location: Bella Center: MR6

Session Type: Symposium (panel)
Orientation: Research
Highlight: Showcase Symposium
Shareable link: https://cdmcd.co/mR69EB

Organizer(s)

MC

Mia Chang-Zunino

ESCP Business School, France
LD

Ludovic Dibiaggio

SKEMA Business School, France

Panelist(s)

MA

Marc Alochet

Ecole polytechnique, France
NF

Nathan Furr

INSEAD, France
TK

Tom (Hee Yeul) Kwon

University College London, United Kingdom
IP

Iris Poon

SKEMA Business School, France
FS

Fernando Suarez

Northeastern U., United States

Discussant(s)

JM

John Paul MacDuffie

U. of Pennsylvania, United States

This panel symposium brings together prominent and emerging scholars on the topic of technological transitions with a particular focus on how recent developments in artificial intelligence, automation, and digital technologies are transforming existing industries. The symposium takes a deep dive in the technological transitions of the automotive industry. The automotive ecosystem contributes to nearly 5 percent of the American GDP and is facing two major technological transitions. On the one hand, there is a transition from internal combustion engines to alternative systems such as electric and fuel-cell engines. On the other hand, vehicles increasingly include automation components towards the vision of the self-driving car. These transitions entail strategic and organizational challenges for both incumbents and new entrants. The panelists present complementary perspectives about how to manage these transitions and assess the consequences of different strategies on firm performance.