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Digital transformation and the human factor

12/02/2016


Digital transformation and the human factor

Driving digital transformation beyond technology 

Digital technologies have profound impact on business and societies. Digital transformation is clearly the name of the game – it happens everywhere and affects nearly every business sector – from small and large companies to governments and the creative sector.

One of the most remarkable characteristics of digital transformation is the speed at which changes are happening. With technologies evolving fast, it is challenging for business and governments to keep up with the innovation. Yet, digital transformation is not only about technologies and companies – it impacts profoundly people regardless of whether they are employed or unemployed.

To be able to take fully advantage of digital disruption it is important to put people and processes above technology. Above all, digital transformation is about using technologies to improve processes, decision-making and customer experience to name a few. “Digital transformation even goes beyond the use of digital technologies to support or improve processes and existing methods. It is a way to alter and even build new business models, using digital technologies.”, as we read in the “Digital transformation” article by i-scoop.eu. The human factor is not just one side of the coin but a key catalyst to bringing changes forward.

Creating the conditions for growth and responding to challenges quickly goes hand in hand with investment in the human capital. There is urgent need for creating and sustaining talent capable of driving change and exploiting the digital developments driving Europe forward. According to data by Eurostat 2015 –“18% of the EU population aged between 16 - 74 has never used the internet and 47% of the population has insufficient digital skills.” ICT inclusion and making sure that the use of digital technologies spreads across societies and gender segmentation is a crucial factor for enabling as many people as possible for success in the digital market.

The e-Skills Manifesto 2015 outlines the importance of the empowerment of citizens with digital skills: “From young people using ICT to improve life chances to raising the skills and working conditions for workers to creating systems to support families to provide care for elderly and to building industry capable of delivering solutions for the challenges of health and demographic change, being able to participate fully and actively in today’s society requires the ability to use technologies. Digital competence is now considered a ‘life skill’.” (p. 72).

The ways we see and use digital technologies in the end have profound impact on people and societies. The eSkills for Jobs 2016 campaign aims at promoting the acquisition of general and more specific digital skills which can enhance the professional profiles in the digital economy.

© Σύνδεσμος Επιχειρήσεων Πληροφορικής & Επικοινωνιών Ελλάδας - ΣΕΠΕ, 2016

Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME), 2015. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. The information and views set out on this website do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of EASME, the European Commission or other European Institutions and they may not be held responsible for the use made of the information contained, neither any person acting on their behalf.