Digital maturity levels of an industrial enterprise

Abstract

Diverse viewpoints on the concept of digital maturity and digital transformation impede the assessment of the current state of affairs with the introduction of digital technologies and planning of this process. The research aims to develop the concept of digital maturity of an industrial enterprise as an inherent part of the digital transformation. In terms of theory and methodology, the research relies on the principal-agent theory, theory of entrepreneurship, and the Capability Maturity Model; applies the methods of expert interview, generalisation, hypothetical deductive and inductive methods of generating knowledge in the new field. The authors develop a six-level typology of digital maturity and define the essence of digital transformation. According to them, it is the replacement of humans and analogue machines with digital technologies. The researchers articulate their vision of the roles of an entrepreneur, manager, and performer in the process of digital transformation, which allows settling the controversy in the relationships between principal and agent related to the accessibility of information about the processes run by an agent on the principal’s instructions. The results of the research may be of use while designing practical tools for assessing digital maturity levels and developing mechanisms for digital transformation of industrial enterprises.