Digital Transformation of Transportation in the Age of COVID-19
Digital Transformation of Transportation in the Age of COVID-19

Summary/Abstract: Purpose: To highlight the key trends in the transportation industry and the role of emerging technologiesand digital transformation in acceleration of value creation. The conceptual framework suggests howsuch transformation could be implemented.Design/methodology/approach: Research in a focus group was carried out where selected digital transformationframeworks were reviewed, and one was selected as the most applicable to the transportationindustry. The selected framework was adopted for the transportation industry.Findings: 1. Value creation should be positioned as the key objective of transformation. 2. Digitaltransformation is not so much about technology as it is about people. 3. The staged approach towardstransformation allows it to be paced with account being taken of the maturity of technology as wellas the maturity of competencies across the organization. For a successful digital transformation, theorganization invests in development of digital capabilities. Moving towards digital means a mindset shift,cultural change and adoption of new methods of working.Research limitations/implications: Transportation companies are at the early stage of transformationat such a scale. The case studies on successful transformations are limited. Therefore, experience isgathered mainly by the test and learn process. It is recommended that findings are validated with a widergroup of experts when transformation matures. Comparing the same framework usage in other industriescan also offer additional learnings to be considered by change leaders.Originality/value: Transportation industry is in a process of transformation towards connected, electricand autonomous solutions, accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The presented framework,adopted for the transportation industry, offers a practical tool for executives and change leaders to leadthe transformation.

• Details
• Contents