{"id":19948,"date":"2024-05-16T15:37:47","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T13:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pre.althea-groupe.com\/news\/digitalization-and-transformation-two-words-for-the-same-thing"},"modified":"2024-05-16T15:37:47","modified_gmt":"2024-05-16T13:37:47","slug":"digitalization-and-transformation-two-words-for-the-same-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preprod.althea-groupe.com\/en\/news\/digitalization-and-transformation-two-words-for-the-same-thing\/","title":{"rendered":"Digitalization and Transformation: Two Words for the Same Thing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

One only has to look at the press in recent months, and even recent years, to realize that digitalization is ubiquitous in our society<\/strong>: Digitalization of commerce, public services, schools. Digitalization of agriculture, businesses, and of course, our social relationships\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

But among all these major projects, transformation plays a predominant role.<\/strong> The latter is gaining increasing importance, mainly in the business world: transformation of the finance function, HR, Supply Chain. CSR transformation, technological transformation\u2026<\/em> there is even a Ministry of Transformation (and Public Service).<\/p>\n

Let’s take a moment to consider these different terminologies: Am I launching a digitalization project or a transformation project? Perhaps both at the same time, after all? But then, is transformation serving digitalization or vice versa? Let’s try to clarify things. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Definition of Digitalization<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The word “digitalization<\/strong>” appeared in the 1950s with the emergence of computing, before exploding in the late 2010s<\/strong>, shortly before the Covid-19 crisis. Since then, it has permeated our daily lives. <\/p>\n

It is primarily a neologism that appeared in the 1980s<\/strong>, derived from the verb “digitaliser”<\/em>, itself borrowed from the English “digitalize”<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Its not-so-obvious origin dates back to the 16th century and the Latin \u00ab digitus \u00bb<\/em> meaning finger (or toe). Its numerical sense comes from the fact that numbers less than ten were counted on fingers. According to Larousse<\/a>, digitalization is a process of transforming a company’s services<\/strong> (financial, commercial) through increased use of information technologies. <\/p>\n

Digitalization would therefore be a means of achieving transformation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What about Transformation?<\/h2>\n

Unsurprisingly, transformation originates from the Latin transformatio: trans- “across,” “beyond,” “on the other side,” -forma: “form”; -atio: “action” or “process.”
\nTransformation is therefore the action or process<\/strong> on the other side of the form. But Larousse explains it much more simply: it is the change from one form to another.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

To continue with neologisms: “it makes sense.” We transform our relationships by digitalizing them, we transform our public services by digitalizing them, or we transform our businesses by digitalizing them. <\/p>\n

However, it’s not that simple.<\/p>\n

Serving Different Interests<\/h2>\n

In reality, digitalization and transformation do not serve the same interests<\/strong> and do not have quite the same consequences.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Digitalization<\/strong> often serves economic<\/strong> interests: efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, but also improves communication and collaboration, and provides access to new opportunities of all kinds.<\/em><\/p>\n

Transformation<\/strong>, on the other hand, has only one objective: to improve a situation.<\/strong>
\nIt is a necessity that responds to a survival issue<\/strong> (or competitiveness issue), whereas digitalization is the investment<\/strong> that enables this transformation, and from which a return is logically expected.<\/p>\n

Transformation is a long-term, sustainable, complex<\/em> process that will eventually take place and apply to a set of processes. Digitalization does not include this notion of duration<\/strong>. It is a process that constantly evolves<\/strong> to improve other processes by integrating new digital technologies. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But then, what is digital transformation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To believe that in the 21st century, any organizational transformation could not be digital would be a deception. Talking about digital transformation is just a huge pleonasm, to be filed not far from the unshakeable “go up high” and its direct competitor “as of today.” Move along, nothing to see here. <\/p>\n

Digitalization and transformation are therefore two concepts often used interchangeably<\/strong>, but it is important to understand their nuances:
\nDigitalization is a necessary step towards transformation<\/strong>, but it is not sufficient in itself.
\nTransformation is a deeper change that involves modifying an organization’s processes, structures, and culture.<\/em> It uses digitalization as a tool to achieve its objectives.<\/p>\n

Therefore, digitalization and transformation should not be confused.<\/strong> Digitalization is a tool; transformation is an objective.<\/p>\n

In conclusion<\/h2>\n

To succeed in its transformation, an organization must have a clear vision of its objectives and a strategy to achieve them.<\/strong> It must also be prepared to change its processes, structures, and culture.<\/strong>
\nDigitalization is a challenge, but it is also an opportunity.<\/strong> By planning and implementing it effectively, organizations can position themselves to succeed in their transformation.
\nThus, crossword puzzle enthusiasts, if you come across the words transformation and digitalization in a grid, tell yourselves that you are improving your situation by counting on your fingers!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One only has to look at the press in recent months, and even recent years, to realize that digitalization is ubiquitous in our society: Digitalization of commerce, public services, schools. Digitalization of agriculture, businesses, and of course, our social relationships\u2026 But among all these major projects, transformation plays a predominant role. The latter is gaining […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":19949,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[207],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hr"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDigitalization and Transformation: What Are the Differences?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Is transformation serving digitalization or vice versa? 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