Jonny
Holmström

Helping organizations build AI readiness and create value from AI!

 

Jonny Holmström is a professor of informatics at Umeå University, and the director and co-founder of Swedish Center for Digital Innovation. He writes, consults and speaks on topics such as digital innovation, digital transformation, and human-AI collaboration. His work has appeared in journals such as Communications of the AIS, European Journal of Information Systems, Information and Organization, Information Systems Journal, Journal of Information Technology, Journal of the AIS, Journal of Strategic Information Systems, MIS Quarterly, and Research Policy.

 

 

New research paper! A new paper with Noel Carroll (Galway) on how to innovate with GenAI was just published: Holmström, J., & Carroll, N. (2025). How organizations can innovate with generative AI. Business Horizons, 68(5), 559-573.

Contact

Linkedin

jonny.holmstrom@umu.se

Research

Jonny Holmström is a professor of Informatics at Umeå University, Sweden, and the director and co-founder of Swedish Center for Digital Innovation His research interests include digital innovation, digital transformation, and human-AI collaboration. His research is conducted in collaboration with partner organizations in the public and private sector. Holmström serves as a senior editor for Information and Organization and Journal of Information Technology.

Teaching

Professor Holmström has taught core courses on IT management, strategic management and has also taught numerous executive courses and workshops in which executives are introduced to the latest thinking in IT management and learn practical tools that they can apply to their own practices. His teaching style is highly interactive, aimed at supplying practical insights and tools, using a variety of teaching methods, such as lectures, cases, and interactive discussions.

Consulting

Professor Holmström collaborates with many leading corporations and public sector organizations to drive digital innovation, digital transformation, and value creation from AI. In doing so he offers a range of methods and frameworks designed to address the challenges associated with digital transformation and organizational AI readiness.

 

Facilitated Workshops:

  • “AI Readiness in Practice” – a workshop for executives and senior managers to understand the organizational, governance and technical dimensions of AI readiness.
  • “Value creation from AI” – a workshop for organizations addressing how to create value from AI, and how to eliminate barriers for such value creation.
  • “From AI Strategy to Action” – interactive session where teams define use-cases, align organizational AI capabilities with strategic ambition.
  • “Data Sovereignty Assessment” – designed for organizations operating in regulated sectors (public, healthcare, finance) where data control, trust and platform governance matter deeply.

Publications

Journal publications

Books and book chapters

  • Holmström, J, and Robey, D (2020). Materiality and Organizing: Actor-Network Theory Revisited. In Czarniawska, B and Hernes, T (eds). Actor-Network Theory and Organizing. Lund: Studentlitteratur, pp. 177-202.
  • Sandberg J., Holmström J, and Lyytinen K. (2019). Digital Transformation of ABB Through Platforms: The Emergence of Hybrid Architecture in Process Automation. In: Urbach N., Röglinger M. (eds) Digitalization Cases. Management for Professionals. Springer, Cham
  • Arvidsson, V, and Holmström, J (2018). Digitalization as a Strategy Practice: What is there to Learn from Strategy as Practice Research? In Galliers, R. D. & Stein, M-K. (eds). The Routledge Companion to Management Information Systems. London: Routledge, pp. 218-231.
  • Holmström, J (2014). Leadership in context: Notes on sharing vision as a key for transformational academic leadership. In Hällgren, M (ed). Reflections on a scientific career: Behind the professor’s CV. Copenhagen: CBS Press, pp. 55-64.
  • Holmström, J (2012). On the shoulders of giants: Understanding internet-based generative platforms. In Teigland, R & Power, D (eds). Postcards from the metaverse. London: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 204-213.
  • Holmström, J., Wiberg, M, and Lund, A (2010). Industrial Informatics: Design, Use and Innovation. IGI Global. (edited book).
  • Holmström, J., Wiberg, M, and Lund, A (2010). Industrial Informatics: What We Know and What We Don’t Know. In Holmström et al. (eds), Industrial Informatics: Design, Use and Innovation. IGI Global. pp. 1-4.
  • Holmström, J., Mathiassen, L., Sandberg, J. and Wimelius, H (2010). Green IS: Steps towards a research agenda. In Holmström et al. (eds), Industrial Informatics: Design, Use and Innovation. IGI Global. pp. 187-195.
  • Tetzlaff, J & Holmström, J (2010). Organizational effects of information technology: Investigating information technology use in the context of lean manufacturing. In Holmström et al. (eds), Industrial Informatics: Design, Use and Innovation. IGI Global, pp. 157-173.
  • Augustsson, N-P & Holmström, J (2010). Living on the edge: Balancing rigor and relevance within an action research context. In Holmström et al. (eds), Industrial Informatics: Design, Use and Innovation. IGI Global. pp. 102-121.
  • Holmström, J (2008). Digitala värden och nätverk som social princip. In Cronqvist, M (ed) Hållbara värden: åtta essäer om tingens ordning och idéers bärkraft, pp. 101-116.
  • Boudreau, M-C, and Holmström, J (2007). Understanding Information Technology Implementation Failure: An Interpretive Case Study of Information Technology Adoption in a Loosely Coupled Organization. In Bello & Khosrow-Pour (eds.) Innovative Technologies for Information Resources Management, IDEA-group Inc.
  • Holmström, J (2006). Nätverksekonomins rationaliteter och irrationaliteter: Om innovationsprocesser i informationsteknikens kölvatten. In Jacobsson, R (ed.) THULE – Kungliga Skytteanska Samfundets årsbok (only in Swedish).
  • Holmström, J., and Robey, D. (2005). Understanding IT’s organizational consequences: An actor network theory approach. pp. 165-187. In Czarniawska, B. and Hernes, T. (eds.) Actor-Network Theory and Organizing. Stockholm: Liber.
  • Holmström, J. (2004). Mobile IT as Immutable Mobiles? Exploring the Enabling Qualities of a Mobile IT Application. In Wiberg, M. (Ed.) The Interaction Society: Practice, Theories, and Supportive Technologies, IDEA-group Inc.).
  • Holmström, J. (2000). Information system and organization as multi-purpose network (Ph.D dissertation). Umeå: Umeå University.

Conference publications

  • Sundberg, L & Holmström, J. (2022). Are AI Opportunities Discovered or Created? Investigating Data Resourcing Using a No-code AI Platform in an Educational Context. In Americas Conference on Information Systems.
  • Kostis, A., Sundberg, L., Holmström, J., & Henfridsson, O. (2022). Training the machine: an ethnographic account of slack data calibration in a deep learning initiative. In DBOSI 2022, 4th Nordic Workshop on Digital Foundations of Business, Operations, Strategy and Innovation, Umeå, Sweden, February 10-11, 2022.
  • Kostis, A., Holmström, J., & Haefliger, S. (2022). Resilient organizations and emerging infrastructural relations: the making of digital resilience. In DBOSI 2022, 4th Nordic Workshop on Digital Foundations of Business, Operations, Strategy and Innovation, Umeå, Sweden, February 10-11, 2022.
  • Kostis, A and Holmström, J. (2022). Dealing with uncertainty in deep learning by data sourcing, data filtering, data swapping, and algorithmic templating: Evidence from data work creativity in pursuing AI opportunities. Reshaping Work 2022 Conference, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, October 13-14, 2022.
  • Kostis, A., Holmström, J., & Haefliger, S. (2022). Resilient users and emerging infrastructural relations: the making of digital resilience. Academy of Management Proceedings.
  • Mankevich, V., Holmström, J., & McCarthy, I. P. (2019). Why Zlatan Ibrahimović is Bigger Than Manchester United: Investigating Digital Traces in Co-branding Processes on Social Media Platforms. In Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 2019, 8-11 January, Maui, USA (pp. 2729-2738).
  • Mankevich, V., Lindberg A. and Holmström, J (2018). Better Safe Than Sorry? Investigating Big Data Evangelists and Their Value Propositions. Big Data and Managing in a Digital Economy. Academy of Management Specialized Conference, University of Surrey, UK.
  • Mankevich, V & Holmström, J (2016). Gateways to Digital Entrepreneurship: Investigating the Organizing Logics for Digital Startups. Proceedings of Academy of Management, Anaheim, California.
  • Jonsson, K., Mathiassen, L., & Holmström, J. (2016). The Architecture and Materiality of IT-enabled Services: An Investigation into Appropriation of Remote Diagnostics Technology. In International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS).
  • Nylén, D & Holmström, J (2016). The Digitalization of Faith: Exploring Unbounded Digital Innovation at the Church of Sweden. Presented at the “Organizing for Digital Innovation” Workshop in Amsterdam, March 11-12, 2016.
  • Nylén, D., Holmström, J. & Lyytinen, K (2015). Racing With or Against the Machines? The Digitalization of Work across the Swedish Forestry Industry Value Chain. Presented at pre-ICIS Workshop on the Changing Nature of Work. Ft Worth, Texas, December 12, 2015.
  • Mankevich, V., Skog, D., Wimelius, H. and Holmström, J (2015). The hero with a hundred faces: the role of coopetition in innovation network evolution. Presented at Strategic Management Society (SMS) Annual International Conference, The Interplay of Competition and Cooperation: Workshop and Discussion Forum.
  • Skog, D. A., Mankevich, V., Wimelius, H. & Holmström, J (2014). Innovation Network Dynamics and the Role of Coopetition: Investigating Innovation Network Evolution. 6th Workshop on Coopetition Strategy – “Coopetition Strategy and Practice”. Umeå, Sweden.
  • Sandberg, J., Holmström, J & Lyytinen, K (2013). Platform Change:  Theorizing the Evolution of Hybrid Product Platforms in Process Automation. Platform Strategy Research Symposium, Boston, MA, USA.
  • Öbrand, L & Holmström, J (2013). Recalcitrant technologies and unfolding technologies: Exploring epistemic strategies in IT risk management. EGOS, Montreal.
  • Arvidsson, V., Holmström, J & Lyytinen, K (2012). Information Systems Strategy-asPractice. AIS SIG Prag Workshop on IT Artefact Design & Workpractice Intervention, June 10, 2012, Barcelona.
  • Skog, D. A., Nylén, D. and Holmström, J. (2012). Digital convergence from within and without: Investigating digitalization and its implications for a local newspaper. Presented at The 2012 International Symposium on Media Innovations. Oslo, Norway.
  • Öbrand, L., Augustsson, N-P., Holmström, J & Mathiassen, L (2012). The Emergence of Information Infrastructure Risk Management in IT Services. In the proceedings of HICSS-45.
  • Nylén, D & Holmström, J (2011). From forestry machines to sociotechnical hybrids: Investigating the use of digitally enabled forestry machines. In the proceedings of the IFIP WG8.2 conference in Turku, Finland.
  • Rönnbäck, L & Holmström, J (2011) A Case Against the Checklist Approach: Exploring Epistemic Strategies in IT Risk Management. In NFF 2011, Nordic Academy of Management), Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Holmström, J., Sandberg, J. & Mathiassen, L (2011). Educating Reflective Practitioners: The Design of an IT Management Masters Program. In the proceedings of the 17th AMCIS conference, Detroit, Michigan.
  • Nylén, D., Holmström, J & Levén, P (2011). Digital convergence or digital clash?: Exploring organizational adoption of social media in the newspaper industry. In NFF 2011, Nordic Academy of Management), Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Jonsson, K., Levén, P & Holmström, J (2010). From reactive to predictive e-maintenance. In 1st International Workshop and Congress on eMaintenance, Luleå 2010.
  • Augustsson, N-P., Nilsson, A & Holmström, J (2010). The Role of Context in Managing Information Infrastructure Services. In the Proceedings for ICIS 2010, St Louis, MO, USA.
  • Sandberg, J., Holmström, J, and Lyytinen, K (2010). Decelerated IT Innovation: Negotiating Global IT Innovation Initiatives in Local Settings. Proceedings of the HICSS conference, Hawaii, USA.
  • Sandberg, J., Holmström, J & Levén, P (2009). Overcoming the alliance/innovation paradox. In the proceedings of IRIS 32, Molde, Norway.
  • Sandberg, J & Holmström, J (2008) From drift to control. In the proceedings of IRIS 31, Åre, Sweden.
  • Rönnbäck, L and Holmström, J (2008). Running to stand still : Examining the role of information technology in industrial risk management. In the proceedings of ECIS 2008.
  • Westergren, U and Holmström, J (2008). Outsourcing as open innovation: Exploring trust as a precondition for the open innovation model in the process industry. In the proceedings of ICIS, Paris, France.
  • Rönnbäck, L and Holmström, J (2008). Attention shaping in risk assessment processes: An action research study. In the proceedings of IRIS31.
  • Levén, P, and Holmström, J (2008). Consumer co-creation and the ecology of innovation: A living lab approach. In the proceedings of IRIS31.
  • Truex, D., and Holmström, J (2007). Dropping Your Tools: the Diversification of the Research Agenda in Organizational Dynamics of Technology-based Innovation, proceedings of the IFIP 8.6 conference in Manchester, England.
  • Holmström, J., & Truex, D. (2006). Drop your tools: Exploring theoretical explanations of technological change. ALOIS 2006.
  • Rönnbäck, L., Jonny Holmström, J., Hanseth, O., Borg, T., Frykman, A., & Thomsson, S. (2006). Changing the installed base: Exploring IT integration challenges in the process industry. Proceedings of IRIS 29.
  • Jonsson, K., and Holmström, J. (2005). Ubiquitous computing and the double immutability of remote diagnostics technology: An exploration into six cases of remote diagnostics technology use (In the proceedings of the IFIP 8.2 conference, Cleveland, Ohio).
  • Jonsson, K., Westergren, U. H. & Holmström, J. (2004) Technologies for value creation: An exploration of embedded systems use in a business model context. Presented as Plenary Paper The 27th Information Systems Research Seminar in Scandinavia (Iris 27), Falkenberg, August 14-17.
  • Jonsson, K., Westergren, U. H., Holmström, J., and Levén, P (2003). Technology as an actor in value chain transitions: Developing after market processes with embedded systems. Presented at WISC 2003, Örebro.
  • Johansson, B-M., and Holmström, J. (2003). Richness or Reach? Exploring the activities and consequences of customer communication. Presented at WISC 2003, Örebro.
  • Holmström, J., and Truex, D. (2003). Social Theory in IS research: Some Recommendations for Informed Adaptation of Social Theories in IS research. Americans Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS), August 4-5, Tampa, FL.
  • Augustsson, N-P., Persson, T., and Holmström, J. (2003). The role of visualization techniques in infrastructure projects: Towards a technology-centered sociology of projects. NFF 2003, Reykiavik, Iceland.
  • Persson, T., Augustsson, N-P, and Holmström, J (2003). From tool to actor: The role of visualization techniques in the Botnia track project. Presented at the 26th IRIS conference in Porvoo, Finland.
  • Holmström, J., and Truex, D (2001). What does it mean to be an informed IS researcher? Recommendations for selection and use of social theories in IS research. IRIS 24, Bergen, Norway.
  • Holmström, J. (2001). Bringing technology back to the study of the socio-technical. How information technology enables and inhibits social action. 16:e nordiska företagsekonomiska ämneskonferensen, Uppsala.
  • Henfridsson, O., and Holmström, J (2001). Understanding bottom-up e-commerce: The dialectics of domestication and inscription in the context of people’s everyday lives. 16:e nordiska företagsekonomiska ämneskonferensen, Uppsala.
  • Holmström, J. (1999). “It’s as if Somebody Closed the Door.” On the Limits of Organizational Change Around Information Technology. In Pries-Heje, J et al., (Eds.): Proceedings of the Seventh European Conference on Information Systems, Copenhagen Business School: Copenhagen, Denmark, pp. 320-329.
  • Henfridsson, O., Holmström, J., and Söderholm, A. (1997). Organizational Informatics – On the Notion of Organization in Scandinavian Information Systems Research. In K. Braa & E. Monteiro (Eds.), Proceedings of IRIS20: Social Informatics. Oslo: Department of informatics, University of Oslo.
  • Holmström, J., and Stolterman, E (1996). Creativity, Communication and Systems Design Methodology. In Dahlbom, B (Ed.), Proceedings of the Nineteenth Information Systems Research Seminar In Scandinavia. Gothenburg: Department of Informatics.
  • Holmström, J. (1995). The Power of Knowledge and the Knowledge of Power. On the Systems Designer as a Translator of Rationalities. In Dahlbom, B (Ed.), Proceedings of the Eighteenth Information Systems Research Seminar In Scandinavia. Gothenburg: Department of Informatics.

Teaching case

  • Appelgate, L., Nylén, D., Holmström, J., & Lyytinen, K (2012). Bonnier: Digitalizing the Media Business. Harvard Business School Case 813-073, November 2012.

Reports