The digital paradox: overcoming resistance to business transformation

The digital paradox: overcoming resistance to business transformation

Why do some companies struggle with digital transformation? The answer is pretty clear if we trace the evolution of vessel operations over as little as the last 20 years.

At that time ships were much more heavily-crewed, but many operators progressively slimmed down crew sizes as they found they could manage with fewer seafarers and still remain compliant with minimum manning levels.

There was no digital transformation taking place – the loss of the radio operator in particular seemed to signal the opposite – but the burden of work on the crew continued to increase. A vessel might go from 25 or 30 crew to 15 or 20 which meant those onboard often had to do more work, but more quickly and under greater pressure.