Designing and Modeling Digital Transformation in the Automotive Industry: Leveraging the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The current research was conducted to design and model digital transformation based on the fourth-generation industrial revolution in Iran Khodro Company. In this regard, the main question focuses on identifying the factors that impact the design and modeling of digital transformation, rooted in the fourth-generation industrial revolution, and exploring the pattern of causal relationships among these factors in Iran Khodro. 

This study adopts an applied-developmental approach in terms of its purpose, utilizes a descriptive survey method for data collection, and employs a mixed data analysis method. The community of participants in the qualitative section comprised of experts, policymakers, academics, managers of knowledge-based companies, and senior managers of Iran Khodro Company. Sampling was done in a targeted way and theoretical saturation was achieved with 15 people. The statistical population for the quantitative part comprised experts from Iran Khodro Company, estimated to be 172 individuals using Cochran's formula. The required sample volume was provided by a simple random sampling method. A semi-structured interview and a researcher-made questionnaire were used to collect data. The underlying categories of digital transformation in Iran Khodro Company were identified by the grounded theory method and the final model was validated by the partial least squares method. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using Maxqda software, while the quantitative analysis was performed using Smart PLS.

To explain the digital transformation model based on the fourth-generation industrial revolution in Iran Khodro company, semi-structured expert interviews were conducted with marketing professors and managers of Iran Khodro company. At this stage, before the start of the interview, six open questions were considered and during the interview process, new questions were also raised as expected. To get familiar with the depth and scope of the content of the data, repeated and active reading of the data (searching for meanings and patterns) were done. The results of the interviews were extracted using the grounded theory method based on the theory of Strauss and Corbin and by open, central, and selective coding. In the open coding stage, 256 codes were first identified, duplicate codes were removed and synonyms were combined, and finally 58 open codes were identified. During the central coding stage, the initial 58 codes were categorized into 10 classes, and in the selective coding stage, these 10 classes were further condensed into six main classes. In the process of theorizing the database, after collecting, analyzing, and interpreting the data, the next step is to present the model, draw conclusions, and summarize the research. By examining the current situation, the obtained data were classified into six main categories. Professors and experts contributed their perspectives, leading to the utilization of 58 indicators to elucidate the digital transformation model rooted in the fourth-generation industrial revolution at Iran Khodro Company, drawn from all indicators derived through qualitative analysis of interview content.

Based on the research paradigm model, it was determined that digital infrastructure, digital leadership, digital human resources, and digital marketing affect digital transformation in Iran Khodro Company. The fourth industrial revolution provides the necessary platform and the competitiveness of Iran Khodro plays an intervening role. Finally, the digital strategy of Iran Khodro Company leads to the financial and non-financial performance of the company.