How to Achieve Digital Sovereignty
Journal
MIS Quarterly Executive
Type
case study
Date Issued
2026-08
Author(s)
Abstract
CIOs consistently report that software vendors are dramatically increasing license
costs while reducing negotiation flexibility. Increased prices result from the erosion of
digital sovereignty, limiting an organization’s ability to control its digital
infrastructures. Our research reveals how vendors leverage the “triple bind” (lock-in,
bundling and scaling) to create insurmountable dependencies, which will likely
intensify further in the AI era. This leaves enterprises with little room to negotiate
or exit. Though there is no silver bullet, we recommend four strategies that CIOs can
adopt to regain control.
costs while reducing negotiation flexibility. Increased prices result from the erosion of
digital sovereignty, limiting an organization’s ability to control its digital
infrastructures. Our research reveals how vendors leverage the “triple bind” (lock-in,
bundling and scaling) to create insurmountable dependencies, which will likely
intensify further in the AI era. This leaves enterprises with little room to negotiate
or exit. Though there is no silver bullet, we recommend four strategies that CIOs can
adopt to regain control.
Keywords
Digital Sovereignty
Vendor Lock-in
Enterprise Software
Strategic Sourcing
Vendor Dependency
HSG Classification
contribution to practical use / society
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
MIS Quarterly Executive
Volume
25
Number
3
Start page
233
End page
247
Pages
15
Official URL
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Contact Email Address
barbara.brenner@unisg.ch
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
How to Achieve Digital Sovereignty (1).pdf
Size
1.18 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
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