Digitalization of Manufacturing Enterprises: The Perspective of Employees and Employers

When digitizing a business, it is essential to understand the objectives set and achieved by management in organizations, as well as the barriers limiting the possibilities for effective implementation. The study aims to identify priority areas, outcomes, and barriers to digitization, using the case of industrial companies. The analysis is based on data from the manufacturing industry in one of Russia’s regions with a well-developed industrial complex. Information was collected through semi-standardized interviews with top management and a questionnaire survey with specialists from functional departments. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics. The main objectives of digitalization include increasing business efficiency, decision-making speed, and work performance. The analysis identified contradictions in the evaluation of the goals and obstacles of digitalization. Compared to employers, employees were more likely to identify software incompatibility and business process shortcomings as barriers. Both employees and employers noted the quality of the workforce as a significant obstacle to digitalization. Another significant outcome of digitalization, in addition to enhancing the speed and accuracy of work, is the reduction in labor input. Organizational reforms and the introduction of digital competence training programs can help reduce barriers and prevent conflicts between employees and employers.