Stakeholders' engagement in digital transformation initiatives

Abstract

Digital transformation (DT) has shifted from a trend to an increasingly accepted reality in the global and organizational scenarios, shaping behaviors, social interactions, economies and operations, as well as driving innovation. While DT, powered by emergent technologies, holds significant potential for businesses, its success hinges on effective stakeholder engagement. By involving stakeholders actively in the transformation process, organizations can maximize the impact of the change initiative and drive long-term success. The DT literature lacks an understanding of the stakeholders' involvement in the DT process. The lack of roadmaps capable of successfully conducting DT initiatives is also acknowledged. In this chapter, as a predominantly theoretical contribution, the types of stakeholders involved in DT initiatives are identified and characterized and their roles presented. Moreover, to reduce the gap between theory and practice, different practical approaches and activities to framing stakeholders in DT roadmaps and promote their active participation in the DT are discussed.