<!DOCTYPE article PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD JATS (Z39.96) Journal Archiving and Interchange DTD v1.0 20120330//EN" "JATS-archivearticle1.dtd">
<article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">
  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title>Lahti, Finland
$ nasren.azad@lut.fi (N. Azad)</journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <title-group>
        <article-title>Quantum Computing: A Concept and Business Perspective</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <string-name>Nasreen Azad</string-name>
          <xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff0">0</xref>
        </contrib>
        <aff id="aff0">
          <label>0</label>
          <institution>Lappenranta-Lahti University of Technology</institution>
          ,
          <country country="FI">Finland</country>
        </aff>
      </contrib-group>
      <pub-date>
        <year>2023</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>000</volume>
      <fpage>0</fpage>
      <lpage>0002</lpage>
      <abstract>
        <p>Quantum computing is a new phenomenon today. Quantum computing is a computing process that involves quantum mechanics, computer science, and information theories. The investors, companies, policymakers, and people's expectations from quantum computing are that it would solve many business issues that are not quite easy to handle and beyond the capacities of current supercomputers. For the managers, there could be certain steps to follow. For example, managers could try to find out the existing quantum ecosystem and check the situation with information providers. They could try to understand the requirements of the business that align with quantum applications. To understand these issues we have conducted an open-ended survey with Quantum professionals. Our findings suggest that quantum business is essential for managers to understand complex scientific concepts. By considering the interconnectedness of systems, exploring multiple options and scenarios, and embracing uncertainty, managers can create a more agile and efective decision-making process.</p>
      </abstract>
      <kwd-group>
        <kwd>eol&gt;Quantum Technology</kwd>
        <kwd>Quantum business</kwd>
        <kwd>Business challenges</kwd>
        <kwd>Business transformation</kwd>
        <kwd>Qualitative Research</kwd>
        <kwd>Open-ended survey</kwd>
      </kwd-group>
    </article-meta>
  </front>
  <body>
    <sec id="sec-1">
      <title>1. Introduction</title>
      <p>
        The field of software engineering and information science has been abuzz with exciting
advancements in quantum computing [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref1 ref2">1, 2</xref>
        ]. This innovative technology has piqued the interest
of computer scientists, engineers, and physicists who are keen to explore its vast potential
[
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref3">3</xref>
        ]. By harnessing the principles of quantum mechanics, quantum computing can perform
intricate calculations at an unparalleled pace, process enormous amounts of data, and transmit
information simultaneously. These capabilities make quantum computing a game-changer that
is set to revolutionize the current IT landscape and inspire innovation across diverse industries
[
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref2 ref4">4, 2</xref>
        ].
      </p>
      <p>
        Quantum computing is a diferent level of computational mechanism that is essential for
today’s business world. Quantum computing combines information technology with a
combination of computer science [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref5">5</xref>
        ].
      </p>
      <p>This on going study addresses the following questions:
RQ1: What is the impact of quantum business on management practices and decision-making?
RQ2: What are the current challenges and issues managers might face in the field of quantum
business?</p>
    </sec>
    <sec id="sec-2">
      <title>2. Background</title>
      <p>
        Quantum information technology is a field that relies on the principles of quantum physics to
develop hardware and protocols capable of harnessing the full potential of quantum physical
phenomena [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref6 ref7">6, 7</xref>
        ]. It uses the properties of quantum entanglement, interference, and true
randomness to deliver significant advantages over traditional computing and information
technologies [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref7">7</xref>
        ].
      </p>
      <p>
        The realization that information is not just an abstract concept but physical and quantum
physical at that, paved the way for the development of quantum tech. Quantum physics,
which describes the behavior of atoms and molecules, was first observed during physical
experimentation in the early 1900s [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref7">7</xref>
        ].
      </p>
      <p>
        Quantum communication is a fundamental aspect of quantum tech that involves the
development of hardware and protocols capable of utilizing the true randomness ofered by quantum
physical objects such as photons and electrons [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref6">6</xref>
        ]. On the other hand, quantum computation
is a field that studies the development of hardware capable of controlling the quantum physical
features of quantum superposition and quantum entanglement. The beginning of the era of
quantum tech can be traced back to two significant events that occurred in the twentieth century
[
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref8">8</xref>
        ].
      </p>
    </sec>
    <sec id="sec-3">
      <title>3. Research approach</title>
      <p>
        To successfully collect data from a large number of respondents working on quantum computing
technology, an open-ended survey questionnaire is undoubtedly the most relevant method
Schluter et al. [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref9">9</xref>
        ]. We have developed an open-ended survey questionnaire to collect data from
quantum computing professionals- through Linked In and various quantum computing groups
in social media. We have employed directed content analysis, a technique used to validate and
enhance a theoretical framework, to analyze the data we have collected [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref10">10</xref>
        ]. As a part of this
process, we have utilized Holsti’s content analysis method to classify various factors reported
by our survey participants [
        <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="ref11">11</xref>
        ].
      </p>
      <p>The factors have been grouped into four broad categories and further divided into
subcategories. This approach allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the data and identify key
insights that can inform our future research and decision-making processes.</p>
    </sec>
    <sec id="sec-4">
      <title>4. Results</title>
      <sec id="sec-4-1">
        <title>4.1. Managers’ perspective on the concept of quantum uncertainty and probability in risk assessment</title>
        <p>Incorporating the concept of quantum uncertainty and probability into risk assessment is
a complex task for managers. However, there are some strategies they can use to address
this challenge. First, managers can apply mathematical models such as Bayesian networks
or decision trees that allow them to model and quantify uncertainty. Second, they can use
simulations and scenario analysis to generate a range of possible outcomes and evaluate the
likelihood of each scenario.</p>
        <p>A professional stated that,
"managers can seek the help of experts in quantum computing and data analytics to
develop customized solutions that suit their specific needs".</p>
      </sec>
      <sec id="sec-4-2">
        <title>4.2. Managers’ decision-making and navigating uncertain business environments with quantum computing</title>
        <p>Quantum computing can help managers optimize business processes, such as supply chain
management, resource allocation, and scheduling, by solving complex optimization problems
more eficiently.</p>
        <p>A professional stated that
"...quantum computing can assist in the development of more accurate predictive
models, which can help managers anticipate future trends and outcomes more accurately.
Overall, quantum computing can be a valuable tool for managers in navigating the
uncertain and rapidly changing business environment of today".</p>
      </sec>
      <sec id="sec-4-3">
        <title>4.3. Improving decision-making through collective intelligence, collaboration and interconnectedness</title>
        <p>The principles of quantum concepts have the potential to impact collaboration and
interconnectedness among teams and departments within an organization in several ways, ultimately
improving decision-making through collective intelligence. One way is through the concept of
entanglement, which refers to the interconnectedness of quantum particles at a distance. In
a business context, this could mean that diferent departments and teams become more
interconnected and interdependent, leading to a greater exchange of information and knowledge
sharing.</p>
        <p>A company professional stated that
"This technology can lead to more informed decision-making as a result of the collective
intelligence of the organization and that will impact the decision-making process
hugely".</p>
      </sec>
      <sec id="sec-4-4">
        <title>4.4. Creative ways to align conflicting interests and foster cooperation in teams or departments</title>
        <p>Quantum interference can be applied to resolve conflicts within teams or departments by finding
creative ways to align conflicting interests and foster cooperation. Quantum interference occurs
when two or more quantum particles interact and have a greater impact on the outcome than
they would individually. In a business context, this could mean that by aligning the interests of
conflicting teams or departments, the outcome could be greater than the sum of its parts.</p>
      </sec>
    </sec>
    <sec id="sec-5">
      <title>5. Conclusions</title>
      <p>The prospect of quantum computing can bring huge opportunities for business, IT, and various
sectors. This technology can create a new horizon for the business. The understanding that
comes here is quantum business and management should be well-understood and well-defined.
The quantum computing and quantum business and management phase is still in the
experimental phase. By considering the interconnectedness of systems, exploring multiple options
and scenarios, and embracing uncertainty, managers can create a more agile and efective
decision-making process.</p>
    </sec>
    <sec id="sec-6">
      <title>6. Acknowledgement</title>
      <p>We would like to give thanks to the PHP Foundation on behalf of LUT university for supporting
this research with grant 20220006. We would like to thank the quantum professionals who
participated and shared their insightful perspectives and thoughts with us.</p>
    </sec>
  </body>
  <back>
    <ref-list>
      <ref id="ref1">
        <mixed-citation>
          [1]
          <string-name>
            <given-names>M.</given-names>
            <surname>Piattini</surname>
          </string-name>
          , G. Peterssen,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>R.</given-names>
            <surname>Pérez-Castillo</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <article-title>Quantum computing: A new software engineering golden age</article-title>
          ,
          <source>ACM SIGSOFT Software Engineering Notes</source>
          <volume>45</volume>
          (
          <year>2021</year>
          )
          <fpage>12</fpage>
          -
          <lpage>14</lpage>
          .
        </mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="ref2">
        <mixed-citation>
          [2]
          <string-name>
            <given-names>U.</given-names>
            <surname>Awan</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>L.</given-names>
            <surname>Hannola</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>A.</given-names>
            <surname>Tandon</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>R. K.</given-names>
            <surname>Goyal</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>A.</given-names>
            <surname>Dhir</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <article-title>Quantum computing challenges in the software industry. a fuzzy ahp-based approach</article-title>
          ,
          <source>Information and Software Technology</source>
          <volume>147</volume>
          (
          <year>2022</year>
          )
          <fpage>106896</fpage>
          .
        </mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="ref3">
        <mixed-citation>
          [3]
          <string-name>
            <given-names>A. D.</given-names>
            <surname>Córcoles</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>A.</given-names>
            <surname>Kandala</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>A.</given-names>
            <surname>Javadi-Abhari</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>D. T.</given-names>
            <surname>McClure</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>A. W.</given-names>
            <surname>Cross</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>K.</given-names>
            <surname>Temme</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>P. D.</given-names>
            <surname>Nation</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>M.</given-names>
            <surname>Stefen</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>J. M.</given-names>
            <surname>Gambetta</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <article-title>Challenges and opportunities of near-term quantum computing systems</article-title>
          ,
          <source>Proceedings of the IEEE</source>
          <volume>108</volume>
          (
          <year>2019</year>
          )
          <fpage>1338</fpage>
          -
          <lpage>1352</lpage>
          .
        </mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="ref4">
        <mixed-citation>
          [4]
          <string-name>
            <given-names>M.</given-names>
            <surname>Schuld</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>I.</given-names>
            <surname>Sinayskiy</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>F.</given-names>
            <surname>Petruccione</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <article-title>An introduction to quantum machine learning</article-title>
          ,
          <source>Contemporary Physics</source>
          <volume>56</volume>
          (
          <year>2015</year>
          )
          <fpage>172</fpage>
          -
          <lpage>185</lpage>
          .
        </mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="ref5">
        <mixed-citation>
          [5]
          <string-name>
            <given-names>J.</given-names>
            <surname>Preskill</surname>
          </string-name>
          , Q2b:
          <article-title>Quantum computing for business, Quantum Computing for Business (</article-title>
          <year>2017</year>
          ).
        </mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="ref6">
        <mixed-citation>
          [6]
          <string-name>
            <given-names>F.</given-names>
            <surname>Bova</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>A.</given-names>
            <surname>Goldfarb</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>R.</given-names>
            <surname>Melko</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <article-title>Quantum computing is coming. what can it do, Harvard Business Review (</article-title>
          <year>2021</year>
          ).
        </mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="ref7">
        <mixed-citation>
          [7]
          <string-name>
            <given-names>F. S.</given-names>
            <surname>Khan</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>D. La</given-names>
            <surname>Torre</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <article-title>Quantum information technology and innovation: A brief history, current state and future perspectives for business and</article-title>
          management,
          <year>2021</year>
          .
        </mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="ref8">
        <mixed-citation>
          [8]
          <string-name>
            <given-names>M. U.</given-names>
            <surname>Khan</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>S.</given-names>
            <surname>Sherin</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>M. Z.</given-names>
            <surname>Iqbal</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>R.</given-names>
            <surname>Zahid</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <article-title>Landscaping systematic mapping studies in software engineering: A tertiary study</article-title>
          ,
          <source>Journal of Systems and Software</source>
          <volume>149</volume>
          (
          <year>2019</year>
          )
          <fpage>396</fpage>
          -
          <lpage>436</lpage>
          .
        </mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="ref9">
        <mixed-citation>
          [9]
          <string-name>
            <given-names>J.</given-names>
            <surname>Schluter</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <string-name>
            <given-names>P.</given-names>
            <surname>Seaton</surname>
          </string-name>
          , W. Chaboyer,
          <article-title>Critical incident technique: a user's guide for nurse researchers</article-title>
          ,
          <source>Journal of advanced nursing 61</source>
          (
          <year>2008</year>
          )
          <fpage>107</fpage>
          -
          <lpage>114</lpage>
          .
        </mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="ref10">
        <mixed-citation>
          [10]
          <string-name>
            <surname>H.-F. Hsieh</surname>
            ,
            <given-names>S. E.</given-names>
          </string-name>
          <string-name>
            <surname>Shannon</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <article-title>Three approaches to qualitative content analysis</article-title>
          ,
          <source>Qualitative health research 15</source>
          (
          <year>2005</year>
          )
          <fpage>1277</fpage>
          -
          <lpage>1288</lpage>
          .
        </mixed-citation>
      </ref>
      <ref id="ref11">
        <mixed-citation>
          [11]
          <string-name>
            <given-names>O. R.</given-names>
            <surname>Holsti</surname>
          </string-name>
          ,
          <article-title>Content analysis for the social sciences and humanities</article-title>
          , Reading. MA:
          <article-title>Addison-Wesley (content analysis) (</article-title>
          <year>1969</year>
          ).
        </mixed-citation>
      </ref>
    </ref-list>
  </back>
</article>