Critical success factors in the digital transformation of firms: A proposed model

Abstract

Purpose: Digital transformation has become a strategic imperative for organizations seeking to enhance competitiveness and adaptability in dynamic digital environments. Despite extensive scholarly attention, many digital transformation initiatives fail due to the lack of integrated frameworks that systematically consolidate critical success factors (CSFs). The purpose of this study is to identify and synthesize the most influential CSFs of digital transformation and to propose a comprehensive, phase-based model that addresses this gap in existing literature.Design/methodology/approach: The study employs a PRISMA-guided structured conceptual systematic review to ensure methodological transparency and consistency in the identification and synthesis of relevant studies. A total of 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers published between 2010 and 2024 were selected using explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria focused on digital transformation and CSFs. The selected studies were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns, relationships, and dominant success factors across multiple industries.Findings: The findings indicate that leadership commitment and strategic alignment are the most consistently cited critical success factors (CSFs)for successful digital transformation.The analysis further reveals that the relevance of these factors evolves across transformation phases, demonstrating phase-specific salience and dynamic interaction among strategic, technological, organizational, and regulatory dimensions. Additional key factors include technological readiness, user-centric design, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. Based on these findings, the study proposes the Comprehensive digital transformation Success Model (CDTSM), which integrates these CSFs into a structured framework encompassing the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and sustainability phases of digital transformationResearch limitations/implications: This study is conceptual and based on a structured systematic literature review of existing scholarly work. Although the review follows PRISMA-guided procedures to ensure transparency, the proposed model remains theoretically grounded and requires empirical validation across different organizational and industry contexts.Practical implications: The proposed model offers a structured and actionable guide for managers and decision-makers to systematically plan, implement, and sustain digital transformation initiatives. By emphasizing strategic alignment, leadership commitment, and regulatory considerations, the model supports organizations in reducing transformation risks and improving implementation outcomes.Social Implications: Being aware of main critical factors in digital transformation at firms can facilitate the change in the way human resources collaborate and socialize in firm’s teams and networks.Originality/value: This study contributes to the digital transformation literature by consolidating fragmented critical success factors (CSFs)into a single, coherent, and holistic model. The CDTSM extends existing frameworks by integrating technological, organizational, human, and regulatory dimensions,and introduces a lifecycle-oriented and temporally structured perspective that explains how critical success factors (CSFs)factors evolve and interact across distinct transformation phases, extending RBV, Dynamic Capabilities, and TOE-based models. thereby providing both theoretical advancement and practical value for organizations navigating complex digital transformation processes.