Competence Requirements for Digital Transformation

Digital transformation is attracting attention in small and medium sized enterprises (henceforth SMEs). While both practitioners and researcher agree that competences play an important part in digital transformation processes, little is still known about what competences enable digital transformation other than digital competences – especially in SMEs. This PhD dissertation aims at remedying this situation by investigating how the dimensions of interaction between different competences in digital transformation processes can be modelled. Specifically, the research investigates 1) the digital transformation challenges that can be observed and at which level, how they are connected, and what their impact is on the digital transformation process, 2) the impact on business models and overall organizational identity (the latter measured as changes in competences and roles) in digital transformation efforts following different digitalization trajectories, and 3) competences and the tasks associated herewith of managerial, employee, and external supplier individuals associated with digital transformation efforts.

Drawing on the digital transformation efforts in 40 Danish SMEs, this PhD dissertation is a qualitative study adopting the competence-based view of the firm. The dissertation consists of three unpublished research articles intended for publishing in international peer-reviewed journals. The first research article explores encountered challenges associated with digital transformation in 40 Danish SMEs using a pool of existing, but unused data from another research project. The two additional research articles are based on additional and original data collected in eleven of SMEs from the previous research project. The second research article investigates the impact of digital transformation on business models and organizational identity. The third research article investigates the competences of managers, employees, and external suppliers/partners associated with digital transformation tasks.

The studies address topics that have not been examined previously in studies on digital transformation and therefore make unique contributions. The first research article contributes with an identification of multiple challenges that are interrelated across organizational levels and their impact on the digital transformation process. The second research article contributes with insights into the impact on business models and overall organizational identity associated with different types of digitalization trajectories. The third research article contributes with insights on the competences and tasks associated with digital transformation of the groups of individuals involved.

In combination, the studies result in a model of the dimensions of interaction between different competences in digital transformation efforts. The research answers to calls for an elucidation on the competences required in digital transformation efforts in SMEs.