Cover story

COVER STORY: Focus on the disruption, not the disrupter, researchers warn
There is little evidence to link the hype of disruption in some industries with reality, according to a new paper called Lifting the lid on disruption fever. In fact, using the fear of disruption to drive the wrong kinds of changes can be dangerous to business, especially if the focus

COVID-19 Disruption Series: Cloud Computing faces COVID-19 test
This is part two in Which-50’s COVID-19 Disruption Series, which examines how Australia’s digital infrastructure is coping with the society-wide disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Read part one here. Demand for cloud computing in Australia is at an all time high as organisations move to remote work and learning

Cover Story: 5 years after Google Glass flopped, a new mixed-reality moment has arrived
For most of its history, augmented and virtual reality applications have been disappointing and frustrating, often hamstrung by the clunky hardware needed to serve uninspiring experiences with limited utility. But as big tech chased its investments over the last decade, hardware, software and content have developed to create a genuinely

Cover Story: As surveillance capitalism takes hold, Australia lacks the ability to protect its citizens’ privacy
If you do anything online chances are Google or Facebook know about it. A 2016 study by Princeton University revealed Google had a data collection presence on 70 per cent of the one million most popular websites. Facebook, meanwhile, holds sensitive data on the 2.4 billion people who have signed

Cover Story: In the rush to lead the world, Australia’s data sharing frameworks are creating more risks
The Australian Government says the national value of open data could be as high as $25 billion per year. Globally, McKinsey puts the value at $3 trillion. It’s little wonder stakeholders are clamouring for their share, attempting to devise systems which enable the transfer and reuse of that data. However,

Cover Story: In the lead up to this year’s election, digital discord is brewing in Australia
With a federal election looming, concerns have been raised that the foreign influence exerted on democratic processes during the 2016 US presidential election and Brexit campaigns could occur in Australia. Experts Which-50 spoke with suggested attempts by foreign governments to sow discord are likely here, as the political and civil

Cover Story: Corporates Want Startups to Disrupt Them. It’s Not an Easy Fit
Australia’s biggest companies are struggling with the sheer pace of change as old certainties are challenged by twin threats. On the one hand they need to keep a watchful eye on the new generation of technically savvy entrepreneurs, and on the other, there is the growing menace of global technology

Cover Story: What is the future of the Chief Digital Officer?
Once seen as disruptors for hire, and often met with entrenched organisational resistance, Chief Digital Officers have emerged as key strategic operators. Increasingly they also have a direct reporting relationship to the CEO, according to studies conducted by Forrester Research and others. However, despite the growing centrality of digital strategy, the role

Cover Story: Why Australia’s New Data Breach Laws ‘Miss the Mark’
The Australian Notifiable Data Breaches scheme comes into effect this week — a new set of rules that will force businesses to be more honest with consumers. But, with the scheme about to commence, critics argue the laws have serious shortcomings for both consumers and businesses, and Australia may have

Cover Story: Gambling Doubles Down on Digital Marketing — But at What Cost?
If you feel like you are being bombarded by gambling advertisements, there’s a good reason: you are. Gambling ad spend is skyrocketing and companies are utilising sophisticated digital advertising strategies to target and personalise their products and services. WHICH-50 Reader Survey: Help us improve Which-50 by taking our annual reader