Exploring the Antecedents of Digital Transformation: Dynamic Capabilities and Digital Culture Aspects to Achieve Digital Maturity

Organizations need to adjust their strategies due to a constantly changing digital environment and a competitive pressure of innovation. Previous literature showed that a lot of firms did not achieve digital maturity yet. With the help of a multiple-industry case study analysis of eight successful companies this paper identified the six dynamic capabilities (1) capabilities absorptive capacity, (2) agility and flexibility, (3) cross-functional collaboration, (4) innovation capability, (5) market orientation, and (6) relational capability as relevant dynamic capabilities during digital transformation. Additionally, (1) continuous learning and development, (2) ethics and data governance, and (3) a new digital leadership, as part of a digital culture, are relevant antecedents to achieve digital maturity. The findings of this paper contribute to information systems literature by providing a base for future empirical studies on the antecedents which lead to a successful guidance through digital transformation.