Stumbling block agility: This is why SMEs are failing at digital transformation

Thomas Reiner | 06.05.2020

A quantitative Candidus study examines the digital maturity level of medium-sized companies in Germany. The current state of digital transformation is presented with the help of a five-dimensional model.
The result shows that the average digital maturity level is only in the middle range (Basic). Only a narrow 8.1 percent of the participating companies have a highly agile organization and culture.
That is very little. And on the surface it’s astonishing because most companies certainly have the technical foundations to make the most of the opportunities offered by digital transformation. Furthermore, the study shows that digital transformation is very much identified by decision-makers as a success factor for the entire company.
So what’s lacking?
It’s noticeable that the implementations that have taken place are primarily at a strategic level. However, there is a lack of sufficiently trained and motivated employees who could recognize and implement the opportunities offered by digital transformation. In addition, a roadmap for the professional implementation of the strategy is usually missing.
Both factors point to an underlying cause: The actual degree of penetration of digital transformation in companies is far too low. There is room for optimization above all in organization and culture – and that means: in agility.
Because agility is an organizational characteristic on the one hand, but also a cultural characteristic at the same time, for example when it comes to entrepreneurship or the spirit of innovation.
If SMEs want to exploit the potential of digital transformation, they have to become more agile.