Competences for digital transformation: Insights from the Norwegian energy sector

Abstract

Numerous established firms are undergoing digital transformations. To manage a digital transformation (DT), companies should develop DT capabilities. One important prerequisite for DT capabilities is DT competence - a bundle of employee skills, knowledge, and expertise necessary for a successful DT. However, research on which competences are essential for a DT is limited, as is research on how established firms can obtain these competences. Based on a longitudinal case study, this paper provides insight into which competences were identified as important for the DT at an established firm in the Norwegian energy sector, and how these competences were obtained. The paper also presents a conceptual model, to better understand and study the concept of DT competence as a prerequisite for DT capabilities.