Providing a General Model for the Successful Implementation of Digital Transformation in Organizations

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Prof., Department of Business Management Faculty of Business and Economics, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.

2 MSc., Department of Strategic Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.

3 Assistant Prof., Department of Public Administration, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

4 MSc., Department of Leadership and Human Capital, Faculty of Public Administration and Organizational Sciences, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/jipa.2024.372113.3470

Abstract

Objective
Purpose: Digital transformation involves the comprehensive integration of digital technologies into all facets of an organization's operations, fundamentally altering the manner in which the organization functions and delivers value to its stakeholders. This research seeks to identify critical factors in order to develop a generalized model for the successful implementation of digital transformation across various organizational contexts.
Methods
This study adopts an interpretive and inductive approach and is practical in its objectives. It is conducted as qualitative research, designed as a single-section time study, and is categorized as part of broader field research. The participants of this research are professors and specialists in the fields of digital transformation and management, carefully selected through purposeful sampling to ensure they meet specific criteria that qualify them to provide insightful information. Data collection was primarily conducted through semi-structured interviews with 15 individuals until theoretical saturation was achieved. To further enrich the data, text studies and thematic analysis methods were employed for categorizing and coding the collected data.
 
Results
From the final analysis and subsequent report writing, based on extensive coding, a total of 174 basic themes were identified, along with 42 organizing themes. From the analysis of these findings, sub-themes that shared similar comprehensive meanings were merged to form five overarching themes. These results highlighted that leadership and vision, change management, collaboration and partnership, user-centered design, and privacy and data security are the principal factors in the implementation of digital transformation. Furthermore, each of these categories and their subcategories were found to play an integral role in the effective implementation process of digital transformation.
Conclusion
Digital transformation extends beyond the mere adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning; it represents a paradigm shift in how traditional management and operational practices are conducted across various functions, including product development, engineering, marketing, sales, and service delivery. It necessitates an all-encompassing involvement across the entire organization, not limited to the information technology sectors. As such, presenting a comprehensive model based on the findings of this research is crucial. This model should address various organizational aspects for effective implementation. Key factors identified include leadership and vision, which are essential for creating an enabling environment for digital transformation; change management, which is necessary for coordinating and instituting changes within the organization; collaboration and partnership, which are critical for fostering integration and connectivity between departments; user-centered design, which is vital for engaging employees and customers; and maintaining robust privacy and data security measures, which are indispensable for establishing trust in digital interfaces. In summary, while digital transformation is inherently complex and difficult to grasp, its successful implementation is essential and can bring about substantial benefits to organizations in today's digital-driven environment and should be treated as a necessity.

Keywords

Main Subjects


 
Al- Qaruty, T.M., Dabbaghia, M.N., Shaban, E.A. & Al -Doori, J. (2022). The digital transformation of human resources and its impact on the organizational strategic sustainability: The mediating role of the conscious leadership. International Journal of Health Sciences. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6ns7.12800
Al-Alawi, A. I., Messaadia, M., Mehrotra, A., Sanosi, S. K., Elias, H. & Althawadi, A. H. (2023). Digital transformation adoption in human resources management during COVID-19. Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, 41(4). https://doi.org/10.1108/AGJSR-05-2022-0069
Appio, F. P., Frattini, F., Petruzzelli, A. M. & Neirotti, P. (2021). Digital transformation and innovation management: A synthesis of existing research and an agenda for future studies. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 38(1), 4-20.
Bansal, A., Panchal, T., Jabeen, F., Mangla, S. K. & Singh, G. (2023). A study of human resource digital transformation (HRDT): A phenomenon of innovation capability led by digital and individual factors. Journal of Business Research, 157, 113611.
Barišić, A. F., Rybacka Barišić, J. & Miloloža, I. (2021). Digital Transformation: Challenges for Human Resources Management. Entrenova - ENTerprise REsearch InNOVAtion, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.54820/gtfn9743
Betchoo, N. K. (2016). Digital transformation and its impact on human resource management: A case analysis of two unrelated businesses in the Mauritian public service. IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Innovative Business Practices for the Transformation of Societies, 147-152.
Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 77–101.
Charlier, R., Kloppenburg, S. & Nastasic, N. (2017). Artificial Intelligence in HR: a No-brainer. Pwc.
Chwiłkowska-Kubala, A., Cyfert, S., Malewska, K., Mierzejewska, K. & Szumowski, W. (2023). The impact of resources on digital transformation in energy sector companies. The role of readiness for digital transformation. Technology in Society, 74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102315
Creswell, J.W. & Miller, D.L. (2000). Determining Validity in Qualitative Inquiry. Theory -4 into Practice, 39(3), 124-130.
Das, M. & Myrden, S. (2021). America’s major league soccer: artificial intelligence and the quest to become a world class league. CASE Journal, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.1108/TCJ-10-2020-0140
Demir, M., Yaşar, E. & Demir, Ş. Ş. (2023). Digital transformation and human resources planning: the mediating role of innovation. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTT-04-2021-0105
Ebrahimpour, H., Zarjou, S., & Nematollahi, H. R. (2024). Explaining Citizens of E-Government Services with the Purpose of Using E-Government Services, with the Role of Social Capital, National Culture and Digital Divide. Public Management Researches, 16(62), 131-160. (in Persian)
Farzaneh Kondori, N. & Rouhani, S. (2021). Presenting a conceptual framework for digital judicial transformation for digital governance. Journal of Public Administration, 13(3), 593-620. (in Persian)
Garcia-Perez, A., Cegarra-Navarro, J. G., Sallos, M. P., Martinez-Caro, E. & Chinnaswamy, A. (2023). Resilience in healthcare systems: Cyber security and digital transformation. Technovation, 121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2022.102583
Heydari, A; Yazdani, H; Hakim, A; Zarei Metin, H and Baya Shahi, J. (2023). Providing a roadmap for digital transformation in the field of human resources with a hybrid approach. Organizational Resource Management Research, 12(4), 118-97 (in Persian)
HosseiniNasab, S. M., ShamiZanjani, M. & Gholipor, A. (2021). A competency model for chief digital officer as organizational governor of digital transformation. Iranian Journal of Information Processing and Management, 36(3), 835-860. (in Persian)
HosseiniNasab, S. M., ShamiZanjani, M. & Gholipor, A. (2021). Defining a Framework for Chief Digital Officer Duties as Digital Transformation Governor in Organizations. Journal of Human Resource Management, 11(1), 1-25. (in Persian)
Lincoln, Y. S. & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalism inquiry, Sage, Newbury Park.
Montero Guerra, J. M., Danvila-del-Valle, I. & Méndez Suárez, M. (2023). The impact of digital transformation on talent management. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122291
Nguyen, T. H. (2022). Assessing human resource needs for digital transformation at enterprises and proposing solutions in human resource training for universities. Journal for Educators, Teachers and Trainers, 13(2). Doi: https://doi.org/10.47750/jett.2022. 13.02.001
Nouri, M., Shah Hoseini, M., Shami Zanjani, M. & Abedin, B. (2019). Designing a Conceptual Framework for Leading Digital Transformation in Iranian Companies. Journal of Management and Planning In Educational System, 12(2), 211-242. (in Persian)
Pandey, D. K., Hassan, M. K., Kumari, V., Zaied, Y. Ben & Rai, V. K. (2024). Mapping the landscape of FinTech in banking and finance: A bibliometric review. In Research in International Business and Finance 11(1), 1-25 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2023. 102116
Purwanto, A., Purba, J. T., Bernarto, I., & Sijabat, R. (2023). Investigating the role digital transformation and human resource management on the performance of the universities. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 7. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4490083
Qahtani, E. H. A. L. & Alsmairat, M. A. K. (2023). Assisting artificial intelligence adoption drivers in human resources management: a mediation model. Acta Logistica, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.22306/al.v10i1.371
Rab-Kettler, K. & Lehnervp, B. (2019). Recruitment in the Times of Machine Learning. Management Systems in Production Engineering, 27(2). https://doi.org/10.1515/mspe-2019-0018
Saghafi, F., Yaghoubi, N. M. & Ansari, S. (2018). Comparative Study of E-government Foresight Projects in the World in Order to opt as the Benchmark for Iran. Journal of Public Administration10(2), 187-208. (in Persian)
Salehipour Bavarsad, S. & Kazem Pourian, S. (2021). Unveiling a New Roadmap for Digital Transformation. Science and Technology Policy Letters, 11(1), 5-17. (in Persian)
Sjachriatin, E., Riyadi, S. & Mujanah, S. (2023). The effects of knowledge-oriented leadership style, digital transformation, and human resource development on sustainable competitive advantage in East Java MSMEs. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.5267/j.uscm.2023.6.021
Tijan, E., Jović, M., Aksentijević, S. & Pucihar, A. (2021). Digital transformation in the maritime transport sector. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 11(2),155-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120879
UN (2020). E-Government Survey 2020; Digital Government in the Decade of Action for Sustainable Development, Department of Economic and Social affairs.
Vardarlier, P. & Ozsahin, M. (2021). Digital Transformation of Human Resource Management: Social Media’s Performance Effect. International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.1142/S021987702150005X
Wafiroh, N. B. Al, Nurhaeni, I. D. A. & Haryanti, R. H. (2022). Digital Transformation Of Human Resource Management: Strengthening Government in the Vuca Era. In Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Social and Political Sciences (ICoSaPS 2022). https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-77-0_30
Widaryanti, W., Putra, A. & Timotius, E. (2021). The implications of digital transformation on developing human resources in business practice in Indonesian: analysis of the publication. International Journal of Business, Economics & Management, 4(1), 157-164. https://doi.org/10.31295/ijbem.v4n1.1425
Wolor, C. W., Khairunnisa, H. & Purwana, D. (2020). Implementation talent management to improve organization’s performance in Indonesia to fight industrial revolution 4.0. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research, 9(1).
Yuan, T. (2023). Research on Digital Transformation of Human Resources in Enterprise Management. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.54254/2754-1169/6/20220210
Zavyalova, E., Sokolov, D., Kucherov, D. & Lisovskaya, A. (2022). The Digitalization of Human Resource Management: Present and Future. Foresight and STI Governance, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.17323/2500-2597.2022.2.42.51
Zhang, J. & Chen, Z. (2023). Exploring Human Resource Management Digital Transformation in the Digital Age. Journal of the Knowledge Economy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-023-01214-y
Zhang, X., Wei, X., Ou, C. X. J., Caron, E., Zhu, H. & Xiong, H. (2022). From Human-AI Confrontation to Human-AI Symbiosis in Society 5.0: Transformation Challenges and Mechanisms. IT Professional, 24(3). https://doi.org/10.1109/MITP.2022.3175512