The impact of digital transformation

Abstract

Digital Transformation, Digital Technologies, Social, Mobile, Analytics, Cloud, Organizational Effects, Business Models, Business Model Canvas, Data-analysis, Survey. Many organizations nowadays feel pressured to change in order to meet customer demands and competitive pressure due to emerging digital technologies. When a combination of digital technologies is used a common heard buzzword is digital transformation. To date there only little academic research with regards to digital transformation and they often provide holistic non-deterministic definitions. In addition literature that dives deeper into the underlying technologies and effects only address specific elements or industries. This gap is address through a literature research and a business model based questionnaire held amongst IT consultants to determine both the concept and expected effects of digital transformation. We speak of digital transformation if a technology induced change by social, mobile, analytics or cloud technologies significantly impacts a minimal of three out of seven dimension on an individual, firm or social level. The research findings show that digital transformation is expected to change organizations across many different fronts as almost all business model constructs have at least one element that is expected to change moderately or even stronger. The greatest impact will be to organizations’ their value proposition, the customer segments they can identify and serve, the way organizations reach their customers, and the resources they use.