Why Digital Maturity Models Fail: An Exploratory Interview Study
Within the Digital Transformation Steering Process
Maximilian Breitruck
a
Institute of Information Systems and Digital Business, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
Keywords: Digital Maturity Models, Digital Transformation, Transformation Steering, Explorative Interview Study.
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.
1 INTRODUCTION
With virtually every organization relying at least once
on (Digital) Maturity Models (DMMs) during a
transformation process the development of numerous
DMMs has lead to their widespread adoption
(Thordsen et al., 2020). However, their increasing use
has also exposed significant weaknesses. In addition
to fundamental shortcomings related to their
scientific foundation, development process, and
associated rigor, practitioners have frequently
reported that these models fail to deliver the
anticipated benefits, often falling short of effectively
supporting the transformation process as expected
(Thordsen & Bick, 2023a). Value creation in this
context is not always directly quantifiable and
depends heavily on the type of model used and its
intended purpose. Despite the high heterogeneity of
such models, existing research identifies capability
maturity models as the dominant form of DMMs
(Pöppelbuß & Röglinger, 2011). These models
establish various dimensions of a digitally mature
organization, each comprising capabilities defined
across multiple developmental stages. This structure
is designed to enable organizations to determine their
current level of digital maturity (DM), identify a
a
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1741-2042
target state, and derive a model-supported pathway to
achieve that state (Pöppelbuß & Röglinger, 2011).
This in essence reflects a simplified outline of the
typical DMM usage process. The application
perspective of DMMs is equally heterogeneous, as
these models can fundamentally be applied to any
level within organizations. Over time however their
primary use has become focused in the context of
transformation processes at the organizational level,
specifically in transformation steering (Ifenthaler &
Egloffstein, 2020; Minh & Thanh, 2022a). In
practice, DMMs are often analogized as a compass
for the transformation process, helping organizations
navigate their journey (Minh & Thanh, 2022a).
Practitioners utilize these models to understand their
current state, determine the actions required to
achieve a desired maturity level and monitor their
progress along the way. Ultimately, users of DMMs
aim to actively guide and manage the transformation
process to ensure the organization successfully
reaches its target state (Rossmann, 2018).
Underperformance occurs in this process when the
DMM fails to adequately support the transformation
as expected. For various reasons, DMMs often fall
short on their promises, leading to their declining use
over the course of the transformation (e.g. Thordsen
Breitruck, M.
Why Digital Maturity Models Fail: An Exploratory Interview Study Within the Digital Transformation Steering Process.
DOI: 10.5220/0013427800003929
Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
In Proceedings of the 27th Inter national Conference on Enterprise Information Systems (ICEIS 2025) - Volume 2, pages 883-890
ISBN: 978-989-758-749-8; ISSN: 2184-4992
Proceedings Copyright © 2025 by SCITEPRESS Science and Technology Publications, Lda.
883
& Bick, 2023b). This support in transformation
processes is however the exact justification for
existence and continuous development of these
models—to enable organizations to initiate and steer
their transformation processes effectively.
Nevertheless, there is currently little structured
knowledge from a practical perspective regarding the
specific reasons for this underperformance in the
application of DMMs. In particular, the question
regarding where this loss of value occurs remains
unaddressed (Thordsen & Bick, 2023b). DMMs can,
therefore, be perceived as socio-technical systems
embedded within the organizational digital
transformation. As such, challenges can arise from
multiple perspectives—technological, organizational,
procedural, or human—which ultimately contribute
to the failure of the model to deliver its intended
value. Therefore, this paper aims to systematically
address the following research question: What factors
hinder Digital Maturity Models from effectively
supporting value creation during the organizational
digital transformation? To analyze this question, the
following chapters will first establish a theoretical
foundation, upon which an exploratory interview
study with industry experts will be built upon. The
study aims to systematically identify the key
challenges in the practical application of DMMs.
2 RESEARCH CONTEXT
2.1 Digital Transformation of
Organizations
Although existing research does not provide a clear
and homogeneous definition of the term, digital
transformation (DT) in the context of organizations
can be broadly defined as: "A fundamental change
process, enabled by the innovative use of digital
technologies, accompanied by the strategic leverage
of key resources and capabilities, aiming to radically
improve an entity and redefine its value proposition
for its stakeholders" (Gong & Ribiere, 2021, p. 12).
This definition explicitly links five distinct elements:
the change process, the entity undergoing the change,
the means by which the change is achieved, the
expected outcome, and the associated impact on the
respective entity.
The change process, which is essentially
fundamental in nature, must be distinguished from
non-fundamental changes, a distinction closely tied to
differentiating DT from related concepts such as
digitization and digitalization. In addition to its
fundamental nature, the scope of improvement and
the distinct end results serve as further differentiation
factors between the aforementioned related concepts
and DT (Gong & Ribiere, 2021). Fundamental
change, as exemplified by DT, is inherently tied to
radical improvement, as opposed to the incremental
improvements typically associated with less
fundamental change initiatives (Bekkhus, 2016).
Radical improvement entails a holistic disruption of
existing paradigms and structures, driving
fundamental change. In contrast, incremental
improvement is characterized by small, continuous
steps, primarily oriented towards process
optimization. In terms of impact the distinguishing
factor between digitalization and DT lies in the
achievement of non-quantifiable, long-term effects
that generate fundamentally new value for
organizations and their stakeholders rather than short-
term efficiency improvements (Chanias, 2017; Gong
& Ribiere, 2021). To facilitate this fundamental
change, specific measures are necessary. First, the
innovative application of digital technologies, such as
artificial intelligence, blockchain, and IoT, plays a
crucial role (Gong & Ribiere, 2021). The strategic
leverage of organizational resources and capabilities
is equally important, enabling the broader scope and
radical changes that distinguish digital transformation
from digitalization initiatives (Gong & Ribiere, 2021;
Heubeck, 2023). Furthermore, human resources are
essential for implementing changes within the
organization and supporting the development of
knowledge resources (Alvarenga et al., 2020;
Smirnova et al., 2019). Financial capital acts as a key
enabler for successful transformations, particularly
given that the long-term, non-quantifiable benefits of
digital transformation often require significant
investments. Organizations with sufficient reserves
can prioritize holistic transformation efforts over
short-term projects with immediately measurable
benefits, creating space for comprehensive change
without compromising on other organizational
priorities (Gong & Ribiere, 2021; Hess et al., 2016;
Liu & He, 2024). Capabilities, both dynamic and
digital, are also critical to navigate the complexity of
digital transformation. These capabilities enable goal-
oriented and agile actions, ensuring that human and
technological components are effectively
operationalized (Ellström et al., 2021; Gong &
Ribiere, 2021). Combined, these three means—
technologies, resources, and capabilities—allow
organizations to achieve both economic and
capability-driven outcomes. In the context of digital
transformation, capability-driven outcomes are
particularly significant, as they encompass long-term,
non-quantifiable benefits such as business model
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innovation, transformative leadership, and the
establishment of competitive advantages. These
outcomes serve as the primary differentiator from
economic benefits, such as process optimization or
cost reduction, which, while important, are already
achievable within digitalization projects. (Gong &
Ribiere, 2021; Leão & da Silva, 2021; Nwankpa &
Roumani, 2016).
2.2 Digital Maturity Models as Socio
Technical Systems
As the distinction between DT and digitalization
highlights, DT is not a trivial initiative that can be
implemented through simple project structures within
short timeframes. Instead, DT represents a
multifaceted and complex construct that must be
broken down into numerous sub-projects and
workstreams involving a wide range of stakeholders
to enable a gradual and systematic implementation of
the transformation process (Correani et al., 2020; Furr
et al., 2022; Jöhnk et al., 2020). As with all
organizational initiatives, the initial and most critical
steps in digital transformation involves defining
objectives, determining the current state, and
establishing a pathway to achieve the desired target
state. In the context of digital transformation, the
concept of maturity models has been adapted to the
digital domain. These digital maturity models
(DMMs) are designed to measure how digitally
mature organizations are, to define a target maturity
state, and—depending on the model type—even
support organizations in achieving that state (Gill &
VanBoskirk, 2016; Minh & Thanh, 2022b;
Pöppelbuß & Röglinger, 2011; Thordsen & Bick,
2023a). The variable being measured, referred to as
maturity, can be defined as a "measure to evaluate the
capabilities of an organization in regard to a certain
discipline" (Poeppelbuss et al., 2011).
In the case of DMMs, this specifically pertains to
digital capabilities, which, as previously established,
are an outcome of digital transformation.
Consequently, existing research often uses the term
Digital Transformation Maturity synonymously with
digital maturity. The Capability Maturity Model, the
most frequently used type of maturity model in the
literature, serves as the foundation for this approach.
It deconstructs the concept of DM into various
dimensions, each associated with corresponding
capabilities that represent specific maturity levels
(Aguiar et al., 2019; Paulk et al., 1993).
An organization can exhibit a certain capability
level within each dimension, which is then interpreted
as its maturity level in that area. Descriptive models
focus solely on reporting the current maturity level to
the user, enabling an initial As-Is assessment.
Prescriptive models take this a step further by
allowing users to define a target state and provide
guidance on how to progress from the current
maturity level to the desired state. Building on these,
comparative models add the functionality of
benchmarking, allowing organizations to compare
their performance internally (tracking progress over
time) or externally (evaluating their standing relative
to competitors). DMMs can thus play a central role in
the transformation process by first conducting an As-
Is assessment, providing a starting point for planning
digital transformation (descriptive). Building on this,
they offer guidelines to support detailed planning and
target setting (prescriptive). Furthermore, DMMs can
serve as a steering tool by tracking progress through
intermediate steps, measuring their success, and
benchmarking the organization’s advancing digital
maturity both internally and externally (prescriptive
and comparative) (Pöppelbuß & Röglinger, 2011).
DMMs often exist in traditional analog formats,
such as assessment documents and questionnaires.
However, opportunities have emerged for applying
these models in digital formats, enabling assessments,
target states, and selected steps toward these targets
to be stored and continuously accessed, for example,
on web-based platforms. As a result, DMMs have
increasingly evolved into technical systems that can
be integrated as decision-support tools within
transformation processes. Due to their growing
technical nature and integration into organizational
processes, the application of DMMs can increasingly
be perceived as a socio-technical construct
(Warnecke et al., 2019). Within this construct
outlined by Bostrom & Heinen (1977), the DMM
serves as the technology, the transformation acts as
the task, the transforming organization represents the
structure, and individuals involved in digital
transformation—such as steering committees, project
managers, and other key stakeholders—constitute the
people component. The socio-technical systems
(STS) perspective can be applied here to understand
how the surrounding organization reacts to the
introduction of IT artifacts like DMMs, how their
integration functions, and what potential barriers arise
in their use, along with possible solutions. This
perspective emphasizes the relationship between the
social system, comprising structure and people, and
the technical system, consisting of tasks and the
technology itself (Bostrom & Heinen, 1977). The
interplay between these components represents the
central variable to be optimized for the efficient
integration of technical systems into organizations. In
Why Digital Maturity Models Fail: An Exploratory Interview Study Within the Digital Transformation Steering Process
885
this case, it involves achieving the best possible
integration of DMMs into the transformation process
to generate value-add from these decision-support
artifacts, particularly in navigating this complex
process effectively.
3 METHODOLOGY
3.1 Qualitative Interview Study Design
To understand which factors, hinder DMMs from
delivering value as decision-support tools in digital
transformations, it is necessary to systematically
identify the barriers. This involves in particular
examining the integration of DMMs as socio-
technical systems (STS), focusing on how the various
system components interact and identifying where
usage-inhibiting issues arise within or between
system components. To address this, we employ a
qualitative, exploratory research approach (Strauss &
Corbin, 1998). While theory-driven hypotheses
regarding potential issues have been put forward,
there is little empirical evidence from the user
perspective. As a result, the field of study remains in
an early stage of maturity, where neither quantitative
nor more focused research methods are feasible, as
these would require the specific problem factors to
already be well-defined (Strauss & Corbin, 1998).
Table 1: Interview partners.
IP. Job Title Industr
y
1 CIO Medical
2 Senior VP Manufacturin
g
3 Head of Data & AI Telecommunication
4 Directo
r
Consulting
5 Manage
r
Consulting
6 Head of Di
g
italization Industrials
In line with the research question, we have chosen to
conduct a qualitative interview study. The theoretical
development is guided by Strauss and Corbin’s
(1998) methodology, where insights are "grounded"
in the data obtained from experienced experts. Our
research adopts a neopositivist approach, classifying
digital leaders as "competent truth-tellers" who serve
as carriers of knowledge (Schultze & Avital, 2011).
The experts interviewed are distinguished by their
direct involvement in the context of digital
transformation (DT), either as members or advisory
actors of the steering committee responsible for
planning and overseeing DT initiatives. These experts
have utilized DMMs in their work, granting them
access to explicit knowledge about how these models
are employed in DT, how they are integrated into
processes, and why issues arise during their
application—potentially leading to reduced utility or
even complete abandonment of their use.
3.2 Data Collection
Utilizing interviews as a data collection method is a
cornerstone of qualitative research, enabling the
collection of "authentic accounts of participants" who
have directly confronted or been involved with the
phenomenon under investigation (Schultze & Avital,
2011). To ensure an adequate degree of rigor, we
follow the established approach by Levina, widely
recognized in IS literature (Levina, 2021). As of now,
six interviews have been conducted between October
and December 2024 with experienced digital leaders
who have been actively involved in digital
transformation initiatives. An additional 5–10
interviews are planned. Participants were directly
approached by us, with particular attention given to
ensuring sufficient diversity in terms of
organizational size and industry sector, making
theoretical sampling feasible (Strauss & Corbin,
1998). An increasing degree of similarity in responses
is already becoming apparent, indicating an emerging
saturation point. The in-depth interviews were
conducted one-on-one using a semi-structured format
(Myers, 2019). The discussions were divided into two
parts. The first part focused on the participants' roles
in digital transformation initiatives and the general
structure of such initiatives within their organizations.
The second part delved deeper into the subject of
DMMs, with a particular emphasis on the socio-
technical systems (STS) components and subsystems
in the context of DMM usage in DT. Participants
were asked to identify points in the process where
ssues in DMM usage occurred, if at all, and to
elaborate on how these issues influenced the long-
term utilization of the models.
3.3 Data Analysis
The interviews conducted so far were recorded and
transcribed, to provide a solid foundation for
subsequent coding analysis. A qualitative analysis
software was used to structure the coding process
(Strauss & Corbin, 1998). During the open coding
phase, 123 codes were documented. Similarities and
differences among these codes were then
consolidated during axial coding, resulting in 70 first-
order concepts.
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Figure 1: STS-Findings Overview.
In the second-order analysis, the findings were re-
evaluated to ensure that the combined concepts
adequately explained the phenomenon under
investigation. This process ultimately led to the
formation of 21 second-order themes, which were
organized into 8 dimensions aligned with the STS
framework. These dimensions and their underlying
themes are described in the following sections and are
outlined within table 2. As the majority of interviews
were conducted in German, the relevant quotes were
translated into English to enhance the accessibility
and comprehensibility of the results.
4 PRELIMINARY RESULTS
To refine the coding scheme, the resulting
dimensions, to which the second-order themes were
assigned, were mapped to the four components of
STS theory. In the following section, the issues
reported by the experts regarding the application of
DMMs in the transformation process are
systematically analysed in relation to the respective
components.
The analysis was carried out starting with the
social subsystem, which comprises the two
components People and Structure. As previously
mentioned, in the research context the People
component refers to individuals involved in the
digital transformation, such as the steering committee
(SteerCo), employees reporting to the SteerCo, top
management. Other organizational participants
indirectly involved in the transformation, referred to
hereafter as external stakeholders, are also included.
The issues within this component were found to relate
to two dimensions: stakeholder inclusion beyond the
steering committee and organizational barriers.
Regarding stakeholder engagement, it is evident
that including all project stakeholders who will
interact with the DMM during the selection process
or in evaluating its outcomes is critical. Resistance to
adoption often arises when the model fails to reflect
the perspectives and needs of its intended users
(stakeholder inclusion,) (IP5). Furthermore, the
involvement of top management is particularly
essential. The DMM must appear credible and
coherent to leadership to secure their trust and support
for its implementation (leadership involvement)
(IP2). Additionally, external stakeholders, even those
not directly engaging with the DMM, should be
informed about its application where possible. This
alignment ensures consistency with internal project
stakeholders and their discussions. Failure to
coordinate externally can result in internal challenges
during the use of the DMM (external coordination)
(IP2). In relation to organizational barriers, cultural
challenges were identified that hinder the integration
of DMMs into the steering processes of digital
transformations. These models often carry a highly
academic character, which can dampen commitment
in more pragmatically oriented organizations
(Cultural Challenges) (IP1, IP2). Additionally, the
overall commitment or lack thereof to the
transformation process itself may lead to the
abandonment of the DMM as a steering tool. This
occurs particularly when the perceived effort required
to utilize the model is deemed too high, causing its
application to be discontinued at an early stage
(Transformation Commitment) (IP1, IP2).
The Structure component, which in this context
refers to the organization and its inherently embedded
rules, hierarchies, processes, and existing technical
infrastructure, is susceptible to challenges across
three dimensions: strategic alignment and
governance. Organizations typically approach
Why Digital Maturity Models Fail: An Exploratory Interview Study Within the Digital Transformation Steering Process
887
strategic topics, such as new value propositions, by
first defining their strategy and subsequently
identifying the capabilities needed to achieve their
goals. In contrast, DMMs often reverse this approach
by prescribing the capabilities required to meet a
predefined target, which the organization cannot
easily adjust. This was highlighted as a barrier in the
strategy formulation aspect of digital transformation
(strategy linkage) (IP3, IP1). Closely related to this is
the observation that organizations often measure their
success by achieving their specific goals rather than
by comparing themselves to a peer group. DMMs,
however, frequently rely on peer group good
practices, making it more challenging to apply the
standard performance assessment approach and to set
and achieve meaningful goals (objective
clarification) (IP3, IP1, IP2). This challenge also ties
into expectation setting. It is essential to clearly
establish the purpose of the model, how it will be
integrated into existing processes, and to develop a
shared understanding of its capabilities and
limitations. Divergent perceptions of what DMMs
are, what they can achieve, and how they can be
applied create additional barriers (expectation
setting) (IP3, IP5, IP7). Regarding governance, it is
essential to define in greater detail how the outputs of
the DMMs should be utilized within the
transformation process and how underlying process
structures can be built and leveraged for digital
transformation. Without such procedural foundation,
the model may be used, but its results would not be
effectively integrated into the transformation efforts,
thereby failing to generate added value from its
application (governance structuring) (IP5, IP4). This
requirement is closely tied to the need for anchoring
the DMM as a central reference point within the
organization. As noted earlier, all relevant
stakeholders must recognize the model as a pivotal
steering tool. This requires the initiators of the
model's adoption to consistently highlight its value
and utility, ensuring it becomes deeply embedded
within the organization and its processes (Anchoring)
(IP4, IP5).
The task component, regarded here as the core of
the transformation process, encompasses the work
invested, including objectives, underlying processes,
and how these are defined and executed to ultimately
achieve transformation goals. Beginning with
workflow integration, it is essential not only to
consider processes at a high level but also to ensure
integration into more operational aspects of the
transformation. This involves managing and tracking
granular progress, such as the status of individual
steps and identifying what actions are required to
complete them (workflow integration, IP4, IP5, IP2).
Additionally, it is crucial to provide support during
the use of the DMM and its accompanying materials.
Simply making the model available without adequate
guidance often results in it being perceived as
unsuitable or irrelevant, leading to abandonment (IP2,
IP6, IP7). This also highlights the importance of
standardization in application—establishing clear
guidelines on where and how the DMM should be
used within operational steering and planning. Such
standardization reduces the risk of underutilization
due to insufficient integration into organizational
workflows (standardization) (IP4, IP5). In addition to
proper integration into the task, iteration was
repeatedly identified as a critical challenge.
Specifically, the cycle iteration in which the DMM is
updated is crucial for it to function as an effective
steering artifact. Regular updates are necessary to
evaluate whether the chosen transformation roadmap
is working and to enable adjustments, thereby
deriving value from the DMM’s application (cycle
duration) (IP6, IP5). To support iterative use,
appropriate approaches for employing the DMM
must be developed. This requires a pragmatic
approach to the model's use, ensuring that it is
practical and conducive to frequent reapplication
(practicality, IP1, IP6).
The central artifact component in the STS is the
technology, which in this case is the DMM itself. Key
issues identified in this area include model design
and the associated user integration. One recurring
concern is that the models are often perceived as
overly complex, discouraging usage from the outset.
To ensure adoption, the DMM must be designed in a
way that avoids excessive dimensions or maturity
levels, which could render it opaque and difficult to
use (complexity) (IP4, IP5). Similarly, the model
must allow for some degree of adaptation to
individual needs without compromising its usability
(flexibility) (IP4, IP6). While complete customization
may not always be feasible, adapting the model to the
specific context is essential, as applying it generically
across different contexts often leads to mismatches
that undermine both its utility and user motivation
(context adaptation) (IP5, IP6). In addition, concrete
performance metrics are crucial to enable effective
project steering. While these metrics do not always
have to be quantitative, they should provide a means
to assess whether progress is being made toward
achieving the transformation objectives or whether
adjustments are necessary (performance integration,
IP3). Related to the model design is also user
integration, which is often tied to the supporting
materials of the model, such as assessment
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instruments, questionnaires, etc. It is crucial to ensure
that users have the easiest possible access to the
model, and by leveraging digital technologies,
assessments can be automated or made viewable for
later reference (user-friendliness) (IP6, IP1).
Additionally, it is important to ensure that
comprehensive documentation is available. This
documentation can serve as the foundation for
introducing the DMM into the transformation process
and also provide guidance for any support measures.
Without such documentation, incorrect usage or
improper implementation can quickly lead to a loss of
motivation and a decline in usage/utility shortly after
introduction (explanation) (IP5).
5 EXPECTED CONTRIBUTION
AND FUTURE WORK
Based on the exploratory insights gathered so far, an
initial version of a coding scheme/framework has
been developed. This scheme, structured along eight
dimensions aligned with the four components of
socio-technical systems (STS) theory, provides an
initial exploratory understanding of the root causes of
issues and the derived requirements to solve them
potentially. These insights shed light on why DMMs
have failed to deliver value or function effectively in
the transformation process and identify what is
needed to ensure their successful application. This
confirms the issues regarding model design already
highlighted in the literature: that DMMs are often too
complex, inflexible, or insufficiently context-specific
to be effectively applied in the operational execution
of a transformation. However, with regard to the STS
components beyond the DMM itself, i.e., the
technology, it has become evident that, contrary to
claims in existing research (e.g., Barry et al., 2023),
there are significant issues outside the design of the
DMM that contribute to the insufficient value these
models generate in digital transformation efforts. As
outlined in the dimensions related to the remaining
STS components, factors such as the anchoring of the
DMM within the organization and its associated
processes, cultural barriers, and the lack of leadership
support are also significant reasons why DMMs fail
to deliver the anticipated value. For the continued
progression of this research, the remaining interviews
will be conducted, and the coding framework will be
refined based on the additional insights gained. Given
that a certain repetition of problem areas has already
been observed after six interviews, with only a few
new insights emerging, it can be assumed that the
coding scheme and the derived findings will only
change marginally. Nevertheless, increasing the
sample size remains crucial to enhance the overall
validity of the results and ensure broader coverage
across different industries and organizational sizes,
thereby improving the generalizability of the
findings, which is the biggest limitation of the present
study. In its finalized form, the resulting framework,
based on the coding scheme, will identify the core
issues that prevent DMMs from delivering the
expected value in the transformation process. These
shortcomings often manifest as declining usage and a
lack of valuable additional insights, undermining the
DMM's function as a decision-support artifact. The
framework will also outline fundamental
requirements for the effective use of DMMs in digital
transformation processes aimed at addressing and
mitigating these issues. The findings of this paper are
intended not only for researchers but also, especially,
for practitioners attempting to integrate DMMs into
their transformation processes. Future research
should not only address the design-related issues of
DMMs and develop principles for their construction
but also focus more extensively on the challenges
outside the model’s design. This includes developing
processes and frameworks for effectively embedding
DMMs into transformation initiatives, identifying the
underlying contingency factors that enable successful
implementation, and defining what success
concretely entails. This emphasis is particularly
relevant as the findings of this study predominantly
report on negative cases of implementation,
highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of
how to achieve positive outcomes.
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