Sustainability 2025 , 17 , 770
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Figure20. The iceberg of digitalisation.
The visible part of the iceberg includes the tangible aspects of digital transformation that are often apparent immediately, such as the implementation of new technologies, digital tools, and systems. This includes visible changes such as adopting cloud computing, integrating software solutions, and upgrading hardware. These are the changes that stakeholders can easily observe and measure. The much larger submerged portion of the iceberg encompasses the less visible but equally critical components of digital transformation. This includes the following: • Organisational Culture: The shift in company culture required to embrace digitalisa- tion, including changes in mindset, values, and behaviours. • Change Management: processes and strategies needed to manage the transition, including communication plans, training, and overcoming resistance. • Strategic Alignment: The alignment of digital initiatives with the company’s strategic goals, which involves rethinking business processes and ensuring that technology supports long-term objectives. • Data Governance and Quality: Establishing robust data governance practices to ensure data accuracy, security, and compliance, which often requires substantial behind-the-scenes effort. Understanding the Iceberg of Digitalisation helps organisations recognise that while technological advancements are crucial, they are just the tip of the iceberg. Successful digital transformation requires addressing the deeper underlying factors that drive sustainable change and integration throughout the organisation. 9.1. Research Gaps This study highlights several key research gaps that warrant further investigation: • Discrepancy in Digital Maturity Assessment: There is a significant gap between self-assessed and actual digital maturity levels within the paper industry. While companies often rate their own progress optimistically, the overall industry remains at the early stages of digitalisation, suggesting a need for standardised and objective evaluation metrics. • Impact of Digitalisation on Sustainability: Limited research exists on the measur- able impacts of digitalisation on sustainability outcomes, such as reduced emissions, resource optimisation, and waste minimisation, particularly in the paper industry. • Legacy Systems and Data Integration: The role of legacy systems and inconsistent data integration in hindering digital transformation remains underexplored. Future studies should address how to upgrade or integrate older systems cost-effectively.
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