Why Digital Maturity Models Fail: An Exploratory Interview Study Within the Digital Transformation Steering Process
Journal
Proceedings of the 27th International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2025
Author(s)
Abstract
Digital Maturity Models (DMMs) are widely used tools to assess and guide organizational digital transformation (DT). However, their practical contribution to the transformation process often fails due to insufficient stakeholder involvement, inadequate adaptability, or unsuitable assessment tools. This study explores these shortcomings through a socio-technical lens, analyzing why DMMs fail to deliver value in transformation processes. Drawing on an exploratory interview study with experts from the industry, eight key dimensions of failure, such e.g. as misalignment with organizational strategies, cultural resistance, and inadequate iterative usage practices, were identified. These initial results reveal that beyond the design of DMMs, systemic organizational and procedural barriers significantly hinder DMM utility. Building on that, ultimately, a comprehensive framework of utility barriers and derived requirements for building and integrating DMMs should be developed.
Language
English
Keywords
Digital Maturity Models
Digital Transformation
Transformation Steering
Explorative Interview Study
Publisher
SCITEPRESS - Science and Technology Publications
Event Location
Porto, Portugal