FROM STABILITY TO AGILITY: INTEGRATING CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY CHANGE MANAGEMENT FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Digital transformation has fundamentally altered the nature of organisational change, challenging the adequacy of traditional, linear change management models. While classical approaches to change management offer valuable structure, leadership direction, and stability, they often struggle to address the continuous, dynamic, and uncertain conditions associated with digital transformation. Contemporary approaches, on the other hand, emphasise agility, employee participation, iterative learning, and adaptability, but may lack the strategic discipline provided by classical frameworks. This paper adopts a conceptual research approach to synthesise recent literature (2020–2025) on classical and contemporary change management perspectives and proposes an integrated conceptual framework for managing digital transformation. Drawing on established models such as Lewin‘s and Kotter‘s frameworks alongside agile and emergent change perspectives, the study develops a cyclical model that combines structured planning with adaptive implementation and continuous learning. The proposed framework contributes to change management theory by bridging classical and contemporary paradigms and offers practical guidance for leaders navigating digital transformation initiatives. The paper concludes by discussing implications for theory and practice and suggesting directions for future empirical research