Drivers and Prerequisites for Digitalization for Public Companies A case study at Västtrafik
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Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Model builders
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Abstract
It is crucial for today’s companies to handle the development of technology to
stay relevant and competitive. The concept of digitalization is a growing trend,
which when successfully conducted, strongly contributes to increased
efficiency and sustainability of a company. Hence, affects a company’s
relevance and competitiveness. Moreover, public companies struggle with
conducting change initiatives and have a hard time keeping up with technology
as compared to private companies. Therefore, the knowledge gap regarding
digitalization for public companies is an area that needs to be investigated to
create an understanding of drivers for digitalization as well as the required
prerequisites.
Hence, the purpose of this study is to understand why public companies need
to digitalize, and what should be considered to prepare for digitalization. The
study aims to gain an understanding of public company's approach to
digitalization, as well as to assess the current situation and develop
recommendations for how to prepare for a potential digitalization.
To fulfill the purpose of the study, a qualitative case study was conducted at
Västtrafik. Drivers and prerequisites for digitalization were identified through
interviews and observations and later confirmed in a document analysis for one
of the company’s main processes. The empirical data was analyzed through
thematic analysis, where the results were put in relation to the theoretical
framework. The conclusion showed that it is important for public companies to
understand why they need to digitalize and the obvious relationship to efficiency
and sustainability, as well as the needed prerequisites in terms of what should
be considered to increase the chances of digitalization success. In conclusion,
resource-demanding processes, difficulties in conducting, navigating and
following up the process, as well as unclear responsibilities and a loss of control
was identified as drivers for digitalization. Moreover, ability to allocate
resources, capabilities to change, and standardized processes was identified
as prerequisites for digitalization. Recommendations for Västtrafik were
developed and divided into different steps regarding how to proceed with the
process of preparing for a digitalization.
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Keywords
public companies, digitalization, competitiveness, efficiency, sustainability, standardization, Lean, change management