doi: 10.18178/ijimt.2024.15.1.958
A Roadmap for Digitally Transforming the Operations of Labour-Intensive Organisations
Tiaan A. Loots1,2,*
,
Konrad H. von Leipzig3 ,
Vera Hummel4
- 1The University of Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
- 2Reutlingen University, Reutlingen, Germany
- 3Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
- 4ESB Business School, Reutlingen University, Reutlingen, Germany
- Manuscript receivedSeptember 25, 2023
- revisedOctober 24, 2023
- acceptedDecember 12, 2023
- publishedMarch 12, 2024
Abstract
In this paper, a roadmap for the incremental digital transformation of operations in labour-intensive organisations is presented. The roadmap utilises a developed reference architecture that takes into account the various areas of value creation in these organisations. It focuses on achieving practical and value-adding levels of digital transformation incrementally in all aspects of a labour-intensive organisation, not just the labour processes. The reference architecture is developed based on a brief analysis and comparison of labour in different manufacturing systems, supported by observational case studies conducted by the first author. The roadmap approach is then implemented in three phases: evaluating the current environment in phase 1, implementing lower-level or test bed methods of digital transformation in phase 2, and ultimately reaching high levels of digital transformation in phase 3. The roadmap also utilises a continuous improvement methodology, in which the roadmap is restarted after each implementation to identify additional opportunities for digital innovation at the operational level.
Keywords
- operations management
- technology and innovation
- incremental innovation
- digital transformation
- Industry 4.0
- labour-intensive environments
How to Cite
Tiaan A. Loots, Konrad H. von Leipzig, and Vera Hummel, "A Roadmap for Digitally Transforming the Operations of Labour-Intensive Organisations," International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 22-28, 2024. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijimt.2024.15.1.958
Copyright & License
Copyright © 2024 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).