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ORGANISATIONAL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF SMEs—DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF A DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION MATURITY MODEL FOR BUSINESS MODEL TRANSFORMATION

Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

E-mail Address: sophie.petzolt@iao.fraunhofer.de

Corresponding author.

Institute of Human Factors and Technology Management IAT, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 35, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

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OLIVER KULLIK

Hasso Plattner Institute, Digital Engineering Faculty, University of Potsdam, Prof.-Dr.-Helmert-Str. 2-3, 14482 Potsdam, Germany

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WIEBKE GERGELEIT

Hasso Plattner Institute, Digital Engineering Faculty, University of Potsdam, Prof.-Dr.-Helmert-Str. 2-3, 14482 Potsdam, Germany

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, and

ANNE RADUNSKI

Hasso Plattner Institute, Digital Engineering Faculty, University of Potsdam, Prof.-Dr.-Helmert-Str. 2-3, 14482 Potsdam, Germany

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https://doi.org/10.1142/S1363919622400175Cited by:12 (Source: Crossref)

This article is part of the issue:

Special Issue — Holistic Digitalisation: Strategy, Transformation, and Implementation
Guest Editors: Daniel Schallmo, Joe Tidd, Christopher A. Williams and Barbara Krumay

Abstract

One of the most challenging difficulties for incumbent organisations, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is to manage digital transformation driven by technological change. Incumbent organisations’ responses to digital transformation have been extensively studied in the current literature. However, most research neglects digital transformation in SMEs. There are hardly any valid developed measures for the maturity of digital transformation. We present a holistic digital transformation maturity model based on an extensive literature review, qualitative computer-assisted data analysis, and empirical findings. The digital transformation maturity model focuses on small- and medium-sized enterprises’ unique features and characteristics. We proved the practical applicability and relevance of the digital transformation maturity model in an extensive study involving various organisations, particularly German SMEs ( $n$ = 310). Organisations can use this model to assess themselves initially and, through this process, gain a comprehensive understanding of the multiple forms of digital transformation.

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