COVID-19 accelerated digital transformation: The case of Meituan

Abstract

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in supply chains. While most existing research suggests ways to improve organizational resilience, our research raises the question of whether the pandemic has accelerated digital transformation at the organizational level. Using the case of Meituan in China, we investigate the supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19, the strategies taken by Meituan to address the problems and their strategic implications. Starting as a fast food delivery company, Meituan has developed into a leading online shopping platform in China specialized in using digital technologies to provide on-demand delivery services. Our research on Meituan during COVID-19 shows that companies can leverage emerging technologies to improve business models and deliver long-term strategic benefits through digital transformation, rather than focusing solely on improving organizational resilience to reduce uncertainty risk.