Enhancing digital transformation in SMEs with a multi-stakeholder approach – Implications from a socio-technical systems perspective

Failures in digital transformation projects are reported frequently. This is especially true for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Considered as a major reason is a missing socio-technical systems (STS) perspective. Although it is widely approved that the interplay between technological characteristics, individual behaviour, and organizational properties matters for digital transformation, these multiple dimensions of digital change tend to be underestimated when it comes to practice. The aim of this paper is to find explanations for this shortcoming and to derive propositions how to design a successful socio-technical implementation journey for the digital transformation in SMEs. The paper refers to the conceptual baselines of STS theory and compares perspectives occurring in the disciplines of work science and engineering science. This is complemented by a comparative analysis of two monodisciplinary as well as one interdisciplinary case study. Reflecting on current limitations the paper proposes a framework for a holistic STS approach that is more likely to be adapted in practice. This integrated maturity approach for digital transformation projects brings together former separated STS perspectives and thus explores a multi-stakeholder approach.