Intended versus Realized Digital Strategies for Business Transformation in Swedish Firms

Important results from the project

The project aimed to identify firms’ intended digital strategies for transformation and the factors influencing their realization or non-realization. It explored how firms organized to implement digital transformation effectively. The project provided insights from digitalization strategies in non-partner firms in the service and manufacturing sectors. The involvement of diverse firms generated the variation needed for actionable knowledge on digital transformation challenges & solutions.

Expected long term effects

The project revealed a gap between firms’ digital transformation efforts & their ability to realize business diversification, which could exploit the new digital capabilities. While introducing digital offerings, they struggled to innovate the business models and organizational structures. Successful transformation depends on creative middle management and program management skills to collaborate effectively with diverse internal and external actors— areas where firms often lacked experience.

Approach and implementation

The project conducted case studies with leading Swedish firms in the manufacturing and service sectors. Comparative analysis identified patterns, challenges, and key factors affecting intended and realized digitalization strategies. Results were shared with partners through workshops and extended to stakeholders in meetings and advanced university courses. They were also presented at leading conferences and in a Lic thesis at Linköping University.