The role of digital champions in the digital transformation of industries

Abstract

Digital transformation or "Industry 4.0"is on the agenda of world manufacturing companies. However, many business leaders have not yet adapted to the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation. Unlike Industry 3.0, which involved the automation of individual machines and processes, Industry 4.0 involves the end-to-end digitization and integration of value chain data: provision of digital services, application of related physical and virtual assets, transformation and integration of all processes and operations, customer service optimization. Industry 4.0 requires interactions, purposeful activities of top management and clear strategies. Companies that will fail to transform are likely to struggle for survival. However, only a few companies have a chance of reaping benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and this group is called Digital Champions. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of Digital Champions and practices that allow them to stay ahead of competitors. The article examines differences in the management and integration of four critical ecosystems: Customer Solutions, Operating, Technology and Human Resources. Each system is a set of partners, suppliers, products and services, employees, third-party consultants, enterprises, outsourcing agreements, technologies and customers. This study examines the unique characteristics of Digital Champions that distinguish them from other companies.