Conceptual Method and Empirical Practice of Building Digital Capability of Industrial Enterprises in the Digital Age

Systematically identification and building of digital capability in the Digital Age are of great significance to the obtainment of enterprises’ sustainable competitive advantages. This article first proposes typical application paradigms for the general framework of building digital capability of industrial enterprises in the Digital Age (FBDC) announced as international standard. Then data of over 4100 practical cases of building digital capabilities using FBDC by over 4000 Chinese industrial enterprises are collected. Based on the data, major directions, core implementations of digital capabilities building are systematically demonstrated through statistical analysis. Furthermore, we divide the investigated enterprises into different groups by sector, then organize in-depth research works to illustrate the major directions and typical practices of building digital capabilities in China's raw materials sector, equipment sector, and consumer goods sector. The results show that the major concerns of Chinese industrial enterprises building digital capabilities are centered on six aspects: R&D and innovation, production management and control, supply chain management, financial management and control, business management, and customer service. The results of sector-wise analysis also provide practical reference to industrial enterprises and other stakeholders to identify suitable digital capability based on information and communication technologies application in the Digital Age and efficiently implement the digital capability building process.