Social factors as a basic driver of the digitalization of the business models of railway companies

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to present the results of research into the assessment of social factors resulting from the digitalization of railway companies' business models and building, by means of the AHP method, a ranking of the significance of these criteria in the process of their digital transformation. The results focused on identifying the components of the business models of railway companies that are most affected by social factors and the creation of such factors. Railway companies do not operate within the business environment alone. In the context of processes, they form one common technical and service ecosystem. Digitalization should increase opportunities to create positive social effects which influence the quality of services provided and the safety of rail traffic as well as the increased efficiency of business models.