In the era of digital transformation, companies are facing an explosion of internal and external data that directly influence their performance, competitiveness, and sustainability (Ren et al. 2023). Information heritage now constitutes a major strategic asset, but its optimal valorization remains a complex challenge requiring an integrated approach, combining technological innovation, new business models, organizational adaptation, managerial reinforcement, training in digital skills, and the development of tailor-made software solutions, all supported by rigorous data governance (Kohtamäki et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2022; McCullough, 2024).

This session explores the multiple dimensions of a company's information heritage: from its valorization through artificial intelligence to its protection in a context of digital sovereignty, including its transformation into drivers of innovation and business opportunities. A key axis of this dynamic is digital servitization, that is, the evolution of traditional business models towards integrated offerings of products, intelligent services, and digital solutions (Zhang et al., 2021; Deloitte, 2023; Li et al., 2024).

The main objective of this special session "Use and mastery of the company's information heritage" is to address the critical challenges of digital transformation by examining how organizations can valorize, exploit, and effectively protect their internal and external data. Particular attention will be paid to strategies allowing data to be converted into sustainable competitive advantages, thanks to the integration of digital servitization models, while ensuring security, compliance, and responsible data governance.

The special session for ICDEc 2026 call for papers invites contributions on topics including but not restricted to the following themes:

1. Leveraging the company's information heritage: pathways toward an AI-driven strategy
   • Audit methodologies and approaches to assess the potential of existing data
   • Development and deployment of digital tools serving organizational performance
   • Frameworks for integrating AI into business processes
   • Measuring the value created through the use of proprietary data
   • Data governance practices supporting AI adoption
   • Sector-specific use cases demonstrating the transformation of data into competitive advantage
2. Utilizing the company's information heritage: from information to actionable insights
   • Ideation and innovation processes fueled by data analytics
   • Methods for knowledge discovery and extraction of strategic insights
   • Transformation of business models through digital servitization
   • Capitalizing on know-how and creating new opportunities
   • Platforms supporting companies in their digital transformation journeys
   • Innovation ecosystems based on controlled information sharing
   • Impact on the value chain and generation of new revenue streams
3. Safeguarding the company's information heritage: between sovereignty and sensitive data
   • Strategies for protecting critical data and ensuring regulatory compliance
   • Frameworks for classifying and managing sensitive data
   • Privacy-by-design approaches and adherence to GDPR
   • Cyber risk management and information resilience
   • Advanced protection technologies: encryption, anonymization, and beyond
   • Balancing innovation with robust data protection
   • Governance and auditing of information systems

We encourage the submission of:

• Original research papers presenting innovative methodologies, frameworks, or technologies
• Industry case studies documenting practical experiences and outcomes
• Comparative analyses of approaches, tools, or strategies
• Conceptual works proposing new theoretical models or analytical frameworks
• Experience-based reports on digital transformation projects
• Demonstrations of technological tools and platforms

Deloitte (2023). Servitization – an increasing trend driving manufacturing sales in Switzerland. Servitization – an increasing trend driving manufacturing sales in Switzerland | Deloitte Switzerland.

Kohtamäki, M., Parida, V., Oghazi, P., Gebauer, H., & Baines, T. (2019). Digital servitization business models in ecosystems: A theory of the firm. Journal of business research, 104, 380-392.

Li, H., Zhao, J., Cao, Y., Su, L., Zhao, Z., & Zhang, Y. (2024). Servitization and product service system: A literature review on value creation. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 208, 123724. doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123724.

McCullough, A. (2024). Defining a new perspective: Enterprise Information Governance. arXiv preprint arXiv:2409.14388.

Ren, C., Lee, S. J., & Hu, C. (2023). Digitalization improves enterprise performance: New evidence by text analysis. Sage Open, 13(2), 21582440231175871.

Zhang, K., Feng, L., Wang, J., Lin, K. Y., & Li, Q. (2021). Servitization in business ecosystem: a systematic review and implications for business-to-business servitization research. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 35(11), 1480–1496. Doi:10.1080/09537325.2021.2010698.

Zhang, Q., Sun, X., & Zhang, M. (2022). Data matters: A strategic action framework for data governance. Information & management, 59(4), 103642.