Article: Approaching digital transformation in the manufacturing industry - challenges and differing views Journal: International Journal of Manufacturing Research (IJMR) 2023 Vol.18 No.4 pp.415 - 433 Abstract: In order to support manufacturing companies in their digital transformation, challenges and views of the term 'digital transformation' need to be identified since digital transformation is considered a source of competitive advantages. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the challenges and differing views of digital transformation in the manufacturing industry. A case study was conducted in collaboration with four Swedish manufacturing companies. The results were then mapped into categories of three dimensions (people, process and technology), indicating that digital transformation can have different meanings within a company. We conclude that the term 'digitalisation' is more frequently used in the manufacturing industry than 'digital transformation' and identified challenges relate to lack of best practice for digital transformation, degree of standardisation and therefore affects the workload and limits the possibilities of transferring technical solutions between factories. Our findings are relevant to operations managers and other interested in digital transformation. [Submitted 11 November 2022; Accepted 27 April 2023] Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Approaching digital transformation in the manufacturing industry - challenges and differing views

Authors: Mats Ahlskog; Anna Granlund; Viktorija Badasjane; Jessica Bruch; Barrett Sauter

Addresses: Division of Product Realisation, School of Innovation, Design and Engineering, Mälardalen University, Sweden ' Division of Product Realisation, School of Innovation, Design and Engineering, Mälardalen University, Sweden ' Division of Product Realisation, School of Innovation, Design and Engineering, Mälardalen University, Sweden ' Division of Product Realisation, School of Innovation, Design and Engineering, Mälardalen University, Sweden ' Division of Product Realisation, School of Innovation, Design and Engineering, Mälardalen University, Sweden

Abstract: In order to support manufacturing companies in their digital transformation, challenges and views of the term 'digital transformation' need to be identified since digital transformation is considered a source of competitive advantages. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the challenges and differing views of digital transformation in the manufacturing industry. A case study was conducted in collaboration with four Swedish manufacturing companies. The results were then mapped into categories of three dimensions (people, process and technology), indicating that digital transformation can have different meanings within a company. We conclude that the term 'digitalisation' is more frequently used in the manufacturing industry than 'digital transformation' and identified challenges relate to lack of best practice for digital transformation, degree of standardisation and therefore affects the workload and limits the possibilities of transferring technical solutions between factories. Our findings are relevant to operations managers and other interested in digital transformation. [Submitted 11 November 2022; Accepted 27 April 2023]

Keywords: production system development; smart production; digitalisation; manufacturing industry; Industry 4.0; knowledge; new competences; degree of standardisation; way of working; organisational structure.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMR.2023.135647

International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 2023 Vol.18 No.4, pp.415 - 433

Received: 11 Nov 2022
Accepted: 27 Apr 2023
Published online: 20 Dec 2023 *

Title: Approaching digital transformation in the manufacturing industry - challenges and differing views

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