Understanding Digitalization in International Trade Firms with an In-Depth Interview

Abstract

Digitalization stands out as a significant trend reshaping both society and trade. It induces transformations in companies through the integration of digital technologies within their organizational structures and operational contexts. This paper explores digitalization through a lens of diverse case studies conducted to gather data from multiple companies, supplemented by a literature study. The paper introduces the inaugural edition of a digital transformation model, synthesized from the insights gained from these industrial cases, providing a foundational starting point for a methodical approach to address digital transformation. The primary aim of the model is to assist companies in handling the changes linked with digitalization in a systematic manner. Comprising four key steps, the model initiates with situating the company in the digitalization landscape and formulating specific goals. It then proceeds to scrutinize the company's current state in relation to its digitalization objectives. Following this, a roadmap is outlined and implemented to guide the company toward achieving its goals, with the understanding that these steps are iterative and can be revisited multiple times. Despite variations in company situations, these steps offer a systematic approach to navigating digitalization, facilitating the necessary actions for deriving benefits from this transformative process.