Digital Transformation in Society
Digital Transformation in Society
Series
Abstract. The paper is devoted to the analysis of the digital transformation processes that
are currently taking place in the economy, production, education and society as a whole.
The main reason digital transformation is impact of the digital technologies. Modern digital
technologies, services and systems are extremely important for social development. One of the
key issues for the implementation of digital transformation is changes in the way of thinking
and requirements for the competencies of workers in the industry. First of all, it is connected
with people’s understanding of digital transformation processes and with their ability to use
digital technologies effectively. For specifying Ukrainian educators’ awareness level about digital
transformation processes, there were conducted survey. Research results have shown that there
is a need to increase their awareness level about digital transformation processes. Based on the
analysis of the considered researches the authors have developed a generalized model of digital
transformation for enterprises, businesses and educational institutions.
1. Introduction
The basis of modern society is digital technology: artificial intelligence, robotics, IoT, blockchain
and 3D technologies, etc. [1–14].
An example of how digital technologies have become a part of our everyday life is the
infographic (figure 1). It is developed according to the Internet portals Statista, Visual
Capitalist, Business Insider, Gamespot, Techcrunch, Omnocode Agency, Doordash, Business
of Apps, New York Times, Music Business Worldwide, INC., Hootsuite, Dustin Stout, Reddit,
Uber, Amazon, Wox that demonstrate what happened within one minute of human activity
with the use of digital technologies in 2020 [15].
The report of the consulting company Accenture (for 2017) identifies five new digital
technologies that can transform global economic development [16]: Internet of Things (IoT),
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Big Data, Robotic Process Automation (RPA).
The use of digital technologies is transforming business models, resulting in new products
and services; the format of works is changing (outsourcing, online platforms, improved
automation, robotics, etc.). Real-time work with digital data fundamentally changes the ways
of management, production, sale and use of products [17].
Thus, modern digital technologies, services and systems are extremely important for social
development. Their introduction into the activities of enterprises and organizations, engineering
and technology, production and non-production processes allows to expand the range of goods
and services, improve their quality and compliance with consumer demand, increase productivity
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Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd 1
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Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1946 (2021) 012021 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1946/1/012021
Figure 1. The results of human daily activities with the use of digital technologies within one
minute in 2020. Source: data from https://www.domo.com/learn/data-never-sleeps-8.
and form new value-added chains. This will ensure growth and creation of jobs in all economy
sectors (from the smallest traditional enterprises to the latest high-tech industries).
However, the education system is failing behind the general state of digital transformation in
society. In our opinion, the main problem is the lack of understanding by the participants of the
educational process of the institutions (higher, secondary and vocational) what is the difference
between the use of digital technologies and innovations provided by the transformational changes
that digital technologies bring to the educational process, and comprehension of concepts,
structure, required and sufficient conditions and processes of digital transformation in general
and in education in particular.
Paper goals. That is why, the purpose of this paper is to define Ukrainian educators’
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awareness level about digital transformation processes; to analyze and develop model of digital
transformation that can have a place in enterprises, businesses and educational institutions.
2. Research methods
The authors have used the following research methods and tools for the investigation (2020).
Quantitative methods: 1) study and analysis of scientific monograph; 2) study and
analysis of research papers; 3) study and analysis of documents about digital transformation;
4) analysis approaches for development digital transformation model; 5) (online) meeting, (video)
conference, seminar, workshop, etc.
Qualitative methods: survey and interview of the Ukrainian educators to determine their
awareness about digital transformation.
3. Theoretical background
The rapid development of digital technologies and, as a consequence, the digitalization of many
sectors of society have led to the introducing such terms as “digitization”, “digitalization”, “digital
transformation”, which, in its turn, led later to the digital transformation concept [18–21].
Digital transformation is the use of digital technologies [22] to fundamentally increase the
productivity and value of enterprises [23]. Now this is the focus of managers and employees of
actively competing industries around the world. It is understood as a profound transformation
of:
Digital transformation is due to the use of rapidly developing digital technologies and their
accelerated impact on society. Such transformation takes into account the changes that have
already happened, happening and will happen in the future [24]. The processes of digital
transformation are affecting many areas of human activity. They are felt in all areas where
there is mechanization and automation of data processing.
During the process of digital transformation, enterprises should:
• turn customers into partners,
• elicit the creative potential of staff,
• make all business processes flexible, scalable and natural,
• review or, if necessary, develop a new business model;
Not every innovation related to the introduction or modernization of information systems
can be attributed to the digital transformation of the enterprise. In order to be “digital
transformated”, the implementation of an information system should [25]:
• lead to a fundamental (a qualitative step forward) increase in efficiency upon key
performance indicators of work organization (improvement by many times),
• use modern digital technologies that are economical, scalable and flexible, adapted to rapid
change (cloud computing , big data, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, etc.),
• be cross-cutting, i.e., affect several areas of transformation (customers and products,
employees and processes, etc.),
• transform the enterprise into a learning organization → knowledge,
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• be accumulated, analyzed and applied by using digital technologies with the participation
of staff and/or external experts.
The stages of digital transformation include:
1. Digitization.
2. Digitalization.
3. Digital transformation.
Digitization, digitizing is a technical process of converting analog data streams into
digital format (in bits). The same interpretation of this concept is also followed by scientists
from various fields (J. Beniger [26], S. Brennen [27], J. Bumann [28], V.D. Chekina [17],
P.N. Edwards [29], T. Feldman [30], O.M. Harkushenko [17], D. Kreiss [27], S.I. Kniaziev [17],
D.V. Lypnytskyi [17], M. Manoff [31], J.M. Owen [32], R. Pepperell [33], M.K. Peter [28],
D. Robinson [34], D. Savi [35], J. Van Dijk [36], S. Verhulst [37], V.P. Vyshnevskyi [17] and
others).
Owing to digitization, data becomes easily available for use on various platforms, devices,
and interfaces.
The Ukrainian (V.D. Chekina [17], O.V. Dannikov [38], O.M. Harkushenko [17], S.I. Kniaziev
[17], D.V. Lypnytskyi [17], K.O. Sichkarenko [38], G.O. Tkachuk [39], V.P. Vyshnevskyi [17])
as well foreign researchers (B. Bimber [40], S. Brennen [27], U. Bruegger [41], J. Bumann [28],
M. Castells [42], A.J. Flanagin [40], K. Knorr Cetina [41], D. Kreiss [27], M.K. Peter [28], D. Savi
[35], C. Stohl [40], J. Van Dijk [36], S. Verhulst [37]) pay their attention to the issue of defining
the concept of “digitalization”. Based on the analysis, synthesis of experience and research,
we understand digitalization as a process of transformation and/or improvement of enterprise
activities, business models, business functions, communications, use of online platforms, training
and retraining of staff to work in new conditions, etc. based on the widespread use of digital
technologies and digitized data.
The issue of defining the concept of “digital transformation” is currently quite relevant in
foreign and domestic scientific literature. Research papers [17, 27, 28, 32, 35, 42–47] propose
different approaches to the definition of this concept. In our opinion, the approaches do not
significantly contradict each other. However, these definitions are not complete enough, in our
opinion.
Based on the analysis and synthesis of the concept interpretations, we define digital
transformation as fundamental changes in the organizational structure of companies,
production, ecosystem, industry as a whole by optimal integration of traditional processes and
digital technologies with their gradual implementation at all levels.
The last stage is final in the concept of digital transformation. Owing to its introduction,
the modern digital business models and processes are restructuring the economy. Society is
also developing and changing when people integrate digital technologies into their life and daily
habits [48].
Summarizing the abovementioned considerations, we present the stages of digital
transformation (figure 2).
The researches of Cognizant Center for the Future of Work (USA) [50] showed that the
rapid development of digital technologies has already affected traditional business processes, IT
infrastructure and social life (figure 3).
At the beginning of 2020, production and social life are generally affected by such technologies
(figure 4) [50].
Combined digital technologies (shown in figure 3 and figure 4) are increasing their impact on
business and social life.
Figure 5 shows the areas in which fundamental changes are expected due to the digital
transformation.
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Figure 4. The impact of technology that is the basis for the digital transformation of the
economy, production, and social life [50]
Figure 5. Areas in which fundamental changes take place due to the digital transformation.
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• what steps need to be taken for the digital transformation of companies, production,
ecosystem, and a particular industry as a whole,
• what changes in educational systems need to be made to adapt people and accelerate their
inclusion into the processes of digital transformation.
One of the key issues for the implementation of digital transformation is changes in the way
of thinking and requirements for the competencies of workers in the industry. First of all, it is
connected with people’s understanding of digital transformation processes and with their ability
to use digital technologies effectively.
For specifying Ukrainian educators’ awareness level about digital transformation processes,
authors have conducted survey. The online survey was elaborated (in Ukrainian) using Google
Forms. 78 Ukrainian educators have taken part in the present research (during December 2020).
We guaranteed participants that only anonymized data would be shared.
The survey contained information about digital transformation processes in society and
education.
The data on the Ukrainian educators’ awareness level about digital transformation processes
are presented in figures 6–9 below.
Q.: How do you understand the digital transformation?
As we can see from figure 6, the largest group of respondents (50%) understands the digital
transformation correctly. At the same time, about 37% of educators have defined the digital
transformation as process of transformation and / or improvement of organizations’ activity
through the use of the digital technology (digitalization). 10% of respondents have defined it
as digitization. This means that there is a need to increase their awareness level about digital
transformation processes.
Q.: Is the digital transformation a priority identified at the national level in Ukraine?
Figure 7 are shown that despite the fact that the majority of respondents are aware of this
issue (almost 61%), a large percentage of respondents (39%) do not know whether the digital
transformation a priority identified at the Ukrainian national level or not. This means that there
is a need to disseminate these issues at national level, for example to introduce these questions
as a part of training and retraining of specialists. especially for educators.
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Figure 7. Survey responses on awareness of the respondents about is the digital transformation
a priority identified at the national level in Ukraine.
Q.: What are the prerequisites for the digital transformation of society?
Survey responses on prerequisites for the digital transformation of society are shown in figure
8 (multiple answers are possible, that is why the total responses can be more than 100%):
As we can see from figure 8, the most popular answers are “digital technology
development” (57%), “digital infrastructure development” (57%) and “level of
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development of public digital competence” (63%). That means that respondents have
defined of the main needs for digital transformation correctly. But citizens also should will
know about other needs for digital transformation such as cybersecurity, telecommunication
services and e-government and e-democracy development etc.
Q.: What are the most important steps to carry out digital transformation?
The most popular answers are “development of the digital transformation strategy”,
“ensuring cybersecurity” and “development of a new level of employees’ thinking”.
Second in importance are the following issues: “digitalization of processes”, “retraining
and advanced training of employees” and “introduction of digital tools in the
activities of a particular sector”. That means that citizens have general idea about the
steps of the digital transformation processes.
Q.: Which of the following causes the digital transformation of education?
As we can see from figure 9, the largest group of respondents defines of the digital technology
impact (57%) and new requirements for the competence of specialists (53%) as the main causes
the digital transformation of education. At the same time, about 33% of educators suggest that
emergence of new professions also impact on the digital transformation of education.
According to the conducted research we can make conclusion about necessary to increase
awareness level of the Ukrainian citizens about digital transformation processes in whole.
One of the ways for solve this problem is to development digital transformation model and
implementation it to companies, production, ecosystem, industry, education etc.
Now, the topical issue of numerous studies of researchers, economists, public and state
specialists, etc. is developing of the digital transformation, through which it will be possible to
determine the digital transformation strategies and ways to implement them. Such issues for
the digital transformation of various areas are actively explored by the following researchers
as J. Bumann [51], M.K. Peter [51] (general research), M.W. Wildan [52], A.I. Umri [52],
H.U. Hashim [52], A.R.A. Dahlan [52] (economy, business), J.M. Pawlowski [28], A. Rof [53],
A. Bikfalvi [53], P. Marqus [53], T. Muluk [54], T. Nanaeva [55], D. Nguyen [56] (education),
I. Mergel [57], N. Edelmann [57], N. Haug [57] (public administration) and others.
Based on the analysis of the considered researches [28,51–54,56–58] the authors of this paper
proposed a general model of digital transformation (figure 10).
The main components of this model are:
1. The reasons that lead to the need in digital transformation of the area/industry (the impact
of digital technologies, new services, new requirements to life in a digital society, etc.).
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2. The use of digital technologies to change business processes in the industry to increase its
efficiency.
3. Preparation of workers, employers, the population as a whole for life in new socio-economic
conditions (change of culture, way of thinking, abilities, skills, and mutual relations) and
development of their digital competences.
4. Effective use of existing data, including the use of modern tools for their analysis with
elements of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data.
5. The main results of digital transformation include new products, services, policies, markets,
environment and development of the digital society as a whole.
The proposed model takes into account the goals, digital technologies impact, changing
services and new demands. The brief description is below.
Block “Processes”:
• Digital Strategy (innovation, design, implementation).
• Digitalization.
• Organization.
• Optimization (paperless trend).
• Automation.
• Virtual collaboration and virtual communication.
Block “People”:
• New Mindset (computational thinking, design mindset, emotional intelligence, social
intelligence).
• New Skills & Competences (digital skills & competences, soft skills, media literacy,
transdisciplinary competences).
• Culture (innovation culture, change readiness, attitudes & motivation for education; lifelong
learning, non-formal learning, informal learning; agility).
• New Relationship (partnership, leadership, Digital citizenship).
• Personalization.
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Block “Technologies”:
• Use of New Digital Tools.
• Digital Technology Integration.
• Monitoring / Expertise of Using Technologies Effectiveness.
• Strategic Foresight of New Technology.
• Cybersecurity.
Block “Data”:
• Retrieval / Use.
• Data Mining (customer data).
• Data Security (reliability).
• Data Analytics (customer insight, customer analytics etc.)
• Big Data Storage.
5. Conclusions
Thus, the results of the digital transformation are new products, services, policies, markets,
environment and development of the digital society as a whole. The process of the digital
transformation is unavoidable of all spheres of human life. Firstly, for this, we should transform
the education.
The main steps for the successful implementation of the digital transformation in education
are following:
• creating a modern digital educational environment to provide equal access to quality
educational services and resources anywhere, anytime and in order to improve the quality
of education,
• digitalization of all components of the educational process,
• effective use of modern digital technologies and data through the development of digital
skills and competencies of all education stakeholders,
• formation of new competencies of the educational process participants, i.e., competencies
which are necessary for a successful life in the digital society,
• defining requirements for digital competencies of heads of educational institutions and
educational policy makers,
• developing special innovative courses for heads of educational institutions, which provided
them with an understanding of the concept of digital transformation of education and ways
to ensure its,
• introduction of SELFIE in all educational institutions.
In the future, the authors will plan to design the recommendation for building of the digital
transformation model of education.
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