Internet of Things as a Digital Transformation Driver in the Finnish Manufacturing Technology Industry

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the state and trends of digital transformation in the Finnish manufacturing technology industry and its impact on a company's competitive edge from the perspective of the Internet of Things. The research was conducted as a case study of 15 manufacturing technology industry companies. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The results indicate that these technology industry companies consider digital transformation as a necessity. At the moment, the utilisation of the Internet of Things is still in its infancy, and therefore, its business impact is minor. Nevertheless, visions are much more ambitious: companies aim to be trendsetters in their sectors. To achieve such a goal, there is no time to waste. The novelty of this research lies in the fact that no equivalent cross-cutting studies on the Internet of Things have been carried out in the Finnish manufacturing technology industry. As a practical advantage, the study provides information on how the Internet of Things benefits companies taking their first steps towards a digital transformation.