Digital Readiness of the Workforce for Successful Digital Transformation: Exploring New Digital Competencies †
1
College of Business, Australian University—Kuwait, West Mishref, Safat 13015, Kuwait
2
Roza Academy, Maltepe, 34846 Istanbul, Türkiye
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
Presented at the International Scientific Conference On Digitalization, Innovations & Sustainable Development: Trends And Business Perspectives, West Mishref, Kuwait, 29 November & 14 December 2023.
Proceedings 2024, 101(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2024101021
Published: 12 June 2024
(This article belongs to the Proceedings of International Scientific Conference on Digitalization, Innovations & Sustainable Development: Trends and Business Perspectives 2023)
1. Objectives
Successful digital transformation does not only depend on the successful implementation of information systems but also depends on how effectively those systems are being utilized by people in the organization [1,2]. Thus, this research attempts to explore what kind of skills and competencies are needed for the successful digital transformation of organizations and analyze the digital readiness of the workforce by analyzing their digital maturity level through the measurement of key HR performance metrics [3,4,5].
2. Methodology
We will apply a hybrid research methodology in this study by combining quantitative and qualitative techniques. Through a comprehensive literature review and in-depth interviews and focus group studies with senior level managers, as well as employees, we will determine the required competencies for human resources to be ready for digital transformation. Then, we will develop and adopt a scale to measure the digital maturity level of the workforce and investigate its relationship with digital transformation.
3. Results
Our study will help academicians and practicing managers better comprehend the new digital competencies in Kuwait and the region required for the workforce to achieve successful digital transformation. This study aims to yield a detailed analysis summarizing the current situation regarding the digital readiness and digital transformation of the relevant sectors in Kuwait, based on the results of descriptive and predictive analyses in the study. We also aim to provide a report proposing a strategic plan for successful digital transformation for policymakers and top managers.
4. Implications
According to a recent analysis by Deloitte Digital, all sectors, from retail to banking, from education to healthcare, and so on, are subject to change in their business models through substantial digital disruption [6]. Several new business models have emerged during this transformation. Technology is changing the way we work and how we manage [7]. Under the intense influence of this transformation, it is crucial for organizations to explore, identify, and improve the appropriate digital competencies and skills through a digital maturity model in order to survive and maintain their sustainable competitiveness.
5. Originality Value
Although there are some studies that have attempted to explore the new digital competencies of the workforce, this should be investigated by also considering the region and country, sector, structure, and organization of human resources, as well as organizations’ strategies. Thus, this study aims to contribute to the literature by (1) determining the specific new competencies of the workforce by considering the effect of culture, industry, and regional development [7,8], (2) adopting a scale measuring those competencies, and (3) analyzing the relationship between the digital readiness of the workforce and the success/degree of digital transformation through possible moderator and mediator variables.
6. Contribution
Based on the results of several studies and surveys, digital disruption and the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies may cause a serious number of job losses in sectors such as healthcare, energy, and financial services. This scenario is expected to be realized when manual routine tasks are replaced with the use of AI, analytics, and mobile technologies. Even though these job losses are expected, digital transformation will also lead to the creation of new jobs, which require a new set of competencies [9,10,11]. Thus, improving the digital readiness of the workforce is crucial since it has emerged as the biggest challenge in successful digital transformation.
Author Contributions
Conceptualization, all authors; methodology, A.E. and M.S.; software, R.A. and A.E.; validation, M.S. and F.A.; formal analysis, A.E. and M.S.; investigation, R.A. and F.A.; resources, R.A., A.E. and M.S.; data curation, A.E. and M.S.; writing—original draft preparation, all authors; writing—review and editing, all authors; visualization, A.E.; supervision, R.A. and A.E.; project administration, A.E.; funding acquisition, M.S. and F.A. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
Although this study does not involve any medical application and thus does not pose any kind of threat to the health or well-being of the participants, ethical review and approval will be obtained before the data collection for any kind of potential psychological effect on the participants during the surveys application and interviews.
Informed Consent Statement
Informed consent will be obtained from all participants involved in the interviews and study.
Data Availability Statement
The study is at the initial phase, thus there is no data to be shared. Moreover, quantitative and qualitative data that will be obtained from the interviews in the following phases will be kept confidential and cannot be shared without the written consent of the participants due to the privacy reasons.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Safi, M.; Abdallah, F.; Erturk, A.; Alkhayyat, R. Digital Readiness of the Workforce for Successful Digital Transformation: Exploring New Digital Competencies. Proceedings 2024, 101, 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2024101021
AMA Style
Safi M, Abdallah F, Erturk A, Alkhayyat R. Digital Readiness of the Workforce for Successful Digital Transformation: Exploring New Digital Competencies. Proceedings. 2024; 101(1):21. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2024101021
Chicago/Turabian StyleSafi, Mirna, Farid Abdallah, Alper Erturk, and Razan Alkhayyat. 2024. "Digital Readiness of the Workforce for Successful Digital Transformation: Exploring New Digital Competencies" Proceedings 101, no. 1: 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2024101021
