Digitalization Business Strategies in Energy Sector: Solving Problems with Uncertainty under Industry 4.0 Conditions

Rafał Trzaska, Adam Sulich, Michał Organa, Jerzy Niemczyk and Bartosz Jasiński
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Rafał Trzaska: Department of Strategy and Management Methods, Faculty of Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, ul. Komandorska 118/120, 53-345 Wroclaw, Poland
Adam Sulich: Department of Advanced Research in Management, Faculty of Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, ul. Komandorska 118/120, 53-345 Wroclaw, Poland
Michał Organa: Department of Strategy and Management Methods, Faculty of Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, ul. Komandorska 118/120, 53-345 Wroclaw, Poland
Jerzy Niemczyk: Department of Strategy and Management Methods, Faculty of Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, ul. Komandorska 118/120, 53-345 Wroclaw, Poland
Bartosz Jasiński: Department of Strategy and Management Methods, Faculty of Management, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, ul. Komandorska 118/120, 53-345 Wroclaw, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-21

Abstract: Digital transformation is a concept based on the use of digitalization and digitization. Digitalization leads to change of business models and provides a competitive advantage also in the energy sector. The process of change towards a digital business requires a specific strategy type, aimed to solve problems with uncertainty caused by Industry 4.0 implementation. This paper aims to propose a theoretical model combining different digitalization strategies and business models. Their theoretical foundations were discussed in the literature review part and related empirical research questions were attempted to be answered by the reference method analysis. The quantitative method of analysis was based on the secondary data from Eurostat for all EU member states and backed the theoretical part in terms of ICT variables. The novelty of this research is based on Hellwig’s reference method used in management sciences and the presented managerial implications. The discussed challenges of the energy sector are related to the digital strategy implementation, relationships between digital transformation and business models, and solutions for such issues as strategy communication and new roles for managers, who should become digital leaders in the energy sector organizations. The main consequence of the proposed model in this study, for the energy sector companies’ managers, is that uncertainty in modern energy sector organizations is more related to employees and their technical skills than implemented ICT itself.

Keywords: business models; digital revolution; energy sector transformation; Hellwig’s method; Industry 4.0; literature review; strategic management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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