At a glance
- Source
- Silva, São Mamede and Santos (2024). A new proposed model to assess the digital organizational readiness to maximize the results of the digital transformation in SMEs. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 10(1), 100644. doi:10.1016/j.jik.2024.100644
- How it was done
- The authors reviewed the gaps in existing maturity models and designed a new readiness model for small and medium-sized firms that asks ordinary employees, not only managers. Literature review. It sums up earlier research and argues a position. It collects no new data.
- Who took part
- Existing maturity models from the research literature.
- Where
- Portugal (research team); the model is aimed at small and medium-sized companies.
“Many models primarily reflect the views of senior management on the general progress of digital transformation rather than on measurable outcomes.”
What it found
- Existing models are inconsistent with one another.
- Many reflect the views of senior management more than outcomes that can be measured.
- Most target large companies and overlook smaller ones, which have fewer resources and specialists.
- The authors’ own model asks general employees about behaviour across 20 areas. It looks at whether the habits needed to use technology well are in place, not at the quality of the technology.
When the result holds
The criticism applies to assessments filled in by one senior person or a small leadership group.
Limits
- The paper proposes a model. It does not show that the model predicts results.
- It is about digital change in general, not AI in particular.
Practices that use this study
This study supports:
- Do not treat a maturity score as a forecast An AI maturity or readiness score describes where you say you stand. Evidence that a higher score leads to better results is thin and disputed. Use it to start a discussion, not to predict returns. Do next · Effort: low (days, one person)
- Assess readiness from several sources, not one executive’s rating A readiness check filled in by one senior person reflects that person’s view. Ask staff and managers as well, and compare the answers with what you can observe. Do next · Effort: medium (weeks, a few people)
Assessments linked to this study
- Does the company have what it needs to use AI? AI Capability scale Managers, about their own company · 46 questions Free to use and adapt
- Are a public body and its people both ready for AI? Dual-level model of AI readiness in the public sector Managers and staff, in a discussion · 4 groups of criteria. The number of questions is not established Free to use and adapt
Claim checks that cite this study
- “BCG’s AI Maturity Matrix shows how mature companies are” Needs correcting
- “Only 13% of companies are ready for AI” Needs correcting