Five lessons about digital transformation from the CEOs of large companies

Authors

  • Stanislav V. Shekshnya International business school “Institut Européen d’Administration des Affaires”, France
  • Kirill A. Kravchenko Gazprom Neft PJSC, Russia; D. I. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology, Russia; Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, Russia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu18.2024.310

Abstract

Purpose: to identify the role of CEOs in the implementation of digital transformation, assess the experience of senior managers of several Russian companies and present the list of common practical recommendations (lessons) to implement digital transformation.

Methodology: еight Russian companies which implement digitalization and digital transformation of business were selected for the given study: Gazprom Neft PJSC, SIBUR PJSC, Severstal PJSC, NLMK PJSC, Ilim Group JSC, X5 Group (PJSC “Corporate Center X5”), AlfaStrakhovanie JSC and Raiffeisenbank СJSC. The data was collected through the interviews with the top-ranking company executives (CEOs), as well as through the literature review of the relevant Russian and international academic papers on the role of CEO in the digital transformation of a company.

Findings: the analysis of the interviews allowed to formulate five “lessons” that the CEOs considered during the digital transformation including deep immersion in digitalization issues, preparation of the conditions in the company to start the process, choosing technologies with the focus on the particular needs of the business, making the conditions for digital experts and confidence in conflict resolution. These lessons can be used by company managers involved in a similar process.

Originality and contribution: this is a first relevant broad study involving CEOs of the leading Russian companies from different businesses that offers a unique set of recommendations for implementing digital transformation in large businesses, which can be also applicable for many managers and entrepreneurs.

Keywords:

digital transformation, CEO, top management, Gazprom Neft, traditional industries

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References

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Published

2024-12-29

How to Cite

Shekshnya, S. V., & Kravchenko, K. A. (2024). Five lessons about digital transformation from the CEOs of large companies. Russian Management Journal, 22(3), 602–620. https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu18.2024.310

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 3 (2024): Managing organization under digital transformation

Section

Practice of Management

License

Articles of the Russian Management Journal are open access distributed under the terms of the License Agreement with Saint Petersburg State University, which permits to the authors unrestricted distribution and self-archiving free of charge.