Digital organisational readiness: experiences from manufacturing companies

• Published in: Journal of manufacturing technology management 2021, Vol.32 (9), p.167-182
• Main Authors: Machado, Carla Gonçalves, Winroth, Mats, Almström, Peter, Ericson Öberg, Anna, Kurdve, Martin, AlMashalah, Sultan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Advanced manufacturing technologies; Change management; Competition; Competitive advantage; Corporate culture; Design/methodology/approach; Digital technologies; Digital transformation; In-depth interviews; Industry 4.0; Management methods; managerial practices; Managers; Manufacture; Manufacturers; Manufacturing; Manufacturing companies; Manufacturing industry; Organisational change; Organisational readiness; Organizational change; Organizational structure; Project management; Qualitative research; Questionnaires; Strategic alignment; Strategic planning; Surveys; Transformations
• ISSN: 1741-038X; 1758-7786; 1758-7786
• DOI: 10.1108/JMTM-05-2019-0188

PurposeThis research aims to identify and organise the conditions of organisational readiness for digital transformation.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative study comprises three case studies within manufacturing companies from different sizes and industries located in Sweden. Plant visits and in-depth interviews bring to light companies' experiences with initial steps towards digital transformation. A set of conditions for digital organisational readiness was translated into a questionnaire and tested with one of the studied companies.FindingsThis paper organises and tests digital organisational readiness conditions to support companies' initial steps on digital transformation. The results are put in perspective of established change management theory and previous studies about digital transformation. The findings will conclude in a questionnaire to support dialogue and digital organisational readiness assessments.Research limitations/implicationsAdditional conditions for the initial phase of digital transformation could possibly be found if more cases had been included in the study.Practical implicationsThe article identifies a set of conditions translated into a questionnaire that should be used as a dialogue tool to create strategic alignment and support companies in their initial discussions. If this process can be faster and more efficient, the company can achieve a competitive advantage against competitors.Originality/valueThis research's relevance relies on the fact that companies are advancing in adopting digital technologies without being ready from an organisational perspective. This gap creates barriers for companies' digital maturing processes, stopping them from having full access to digital technologies' benefits.