The main goal of this thesis is to thoroughly investigate what digital transformation is and which general success factors exist for businesses. It then collates in a concise way whether and to what extent selected German car manufacturers comply with
these success factors.
"Once a new technology rolls over you, if you’re not part of the steamroller, you’re part of the road"“ - Stewart Brand
This metaphor skillfully illustrates what happens to businesses that do not take part in technological progression: they get obliterated. In addition, the cycle of new technologies is spinning faster and faster ever since, making it increasingly difficult for
companies to survive and flourish. As evidence for this situation the average longevity of businesses in the S&P 500 index can be adduced. While in 1964, in average, a business would stay 33 years in the index, the duration went down to 24 years
in 2016. It is estimated that this number will be cut in half by the year 2027.
The major force behind this in the recent past is the digital transformation. Just a few years ago it was common standard to rent a movie in a video rental store, buy books at the local book store and to take pictures with analogue cameras. Among
the most famous businesses in these markets were Blockbuster, Borders and Kodak. Nowadays, they are immaterial. The first two filed for bankruptcy and the latter is still trying to salvage itself. All of them share the same fate: they underestimated
the change that came with digital innovations. In their place digital champions now
reign: Netflix, Amazon and Samsung.
If a similar fate would befall the German automotive industry, it would be devastating for the whole economy as over 1.8 million jobs are directly or indirectly dependent on it. In fact, among the four highest grossing companies in Germany 2017
were three car manufacturers. The extreme significance of this industry is evident.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Prelude
- Structure of this paper
- Definition of terms and concepts
- Digital transformation
- Success
- Success factors
- Success factors for digital transformation
- Business purpose
- Strategy
- Business model
- Finance
- Customer focus
- New markets
- Data-driven satisfaction of customer needs
- Open innovation
- Information technology
- Big data and advanced analytics
- Artificial intelligence and deep learning
- Digital twin
- Organizational capacity
- Human capital
- Organization
- Business culture
- Digital transformation at German car manufacturers
- Examined businesses
- Current status of transformation process
- Business purpose
- Customer focus
- Information technology
- Organizational capacity
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This master's thesis aims to identify and analyze the success factors for digital transformation within the context of German car manufacturers. It investigates the interplay of various factors contributing to successful digital transformation initiatives within this specific industry.
- Success factors for digital transformation in the automotive industry
- The role of business strategy and models in digital transformation
- The importance of customer focus and data-driven innovation
- The impact of information technology (IT) advancements on transformation
- The influence of organizational capacity and culture on successful transformation
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the thesis, introducing the topic of digital transformation within the German automotive industry and outlining the structure of the paper. It provides a brief prelude and explains the approach taken in the subsequent chapters.
Definition of terms and concepts: This chapter clarifies key terms used throughout the thesis, including "digital transformation," "success," and "success factors." It provides a foundational understanding of the concepts crucial for interpreting the subsequent analysis.
Success factors for digital transformation: This chapter delves into the core success factors for digital transformation, categorizing them into business purpose (strategy, business model, and finance), customer focus (new markets, data-driven customer needs satisfaction, and open innovation), information technology (big data, AI, and digital twin), and organizational capacity (human capital, organization, and business culture). Each factor is examined in detail, demonstrating its significance in the overall process.
Digital transformation at German car manufacturers: This chapter applies the previously identified success factors to the specific context of German car manufacturers. It examines the current status of the transformation process within these companies, analyzing their progress and challenges across the four key areas defined in the previous chapter: business purpose, customer focus, information technology, and organizational capacity. The chapter likely presents case studies or comparative analyses of different companies.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Digital transformation, German car manufacturers, success factors, business strategy, business model, customer focus, data-driven innovation, information technology, artificial intelligence, big data, organizational capacity, human capital, business culture, open innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Success Factors for Digital Transformation at German Car Manufacturers
What is the main topic of this paper?
This master's thesis analyzes the success factors for digital transformation within the German automotive industry. It investigates how various factors, including business strategy, customer focus, information technology, and organizational capacity, contribute to successful digital transformation initiatives.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes: success factors for digital transformation in the automotive industry; the role of business strategy and models; the importance of customer focus and data-driven innovation; the impact of IT advancements; and the influence of organizational capacity and culture on successful transformation.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured as follows: an introduction setting the context and outlining the structure; a definition of key terms (digital transformation, success, success factors); an in-depth analysis of success factors categorized into business purpose, customer focus, information technology, and organizational capacity; and finally, a case study applying these factors to German car manufacturers, analyzing their progress and challenges.
What specific success factors are examined?
The paper examines success factors categorized into four key areas:
- Business Purpose: Strategy, business model, and finance.
- Customer Focus: New markets, data-driven customer needs satisfaction, and open innovation.
- Information Technology: Big data and advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and deep learning, and digital twin.
- Organizational Capacity: Human capital, organization, and business culture.
Which German car manufacturers are examined?
The paper specifies that it examines German car manufacturers but doesn't name specific companies. The analysis focuses on the current status of their transformation processes across the four key areas identified above.
What is the objective of the thesis?
The primary objective is to identify and analyze the success factors for digital transformation within German car manufacturers, investigating the interplay of various factors contributing to successful initiatives within this specific industry.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The introduction lays the groundwork; the definition of terms clarifies key concepts; the core chapter details the success factors; and the final chapter applies these factors to analyze the digital transformation progress of German car manufacturers.
What keywords are associated with this research?
Key words include: Digital transformation, German car manufacturers, success factors, business strategy, business model, customer focus, data-driven innovation, information technology, artificial intelligence, big data, organizational capacity, human capital, business culture, and open innovation.
- Citar trabajo
- Johannes Schmidt (Autor), 2018, Success factors for digital transformation, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/491935
