Digital Transformation of Pharmaceutical Industry

Digital transformation (DT) in the Pharmaceutical Industry (PI) is a topic of increasing scholarly importance but remains underexplored within management studies. This thesis, comprising five scientific articles, addresses various aspects of DT in PI, offering significant contributions to existing literature and proposing new research perspectives, in particular: 1. To analyze the key technologies driving DT in PI. 2. To develop practical frameworks for implementing DT. 3. To integrate interdisciplinary and stakeholder-oriented perspectives. 4. To investigate the impact of DT on sustainability dimensions. The main research objectives are specifically addressed in the five articles, each focusing on a particular aspect of PI-DT: • Paper 1: Establish a theoretical foundation and identify literature gaps in the existing literature on PI-DT. • Paper 2: Develop a practical framework for implementing DT by integrating people, processes, and technology. • Paper 3: Explore the alignment between AI-driven and Stakeholders engagement • Paper 4: Investigate the relationship between strategic and cognitive readiness, AI Social Engagement, and the improvement of SDGs and economic performance. • Paper 5: Analyze opportunities and challenges for PI-DT deployment in practice The five articles included in this thesis are connected by a common thread that explores how DT can transform various aspects of the Pharmaceutical Industry (PI), and how these transformations can be integrated into a broader framework of sustainability and digital innovation. The first paper, through a systematic literature review, initially covering 404 articles and narrowing down to 35 relevant papers, proposes a future research agenda to be pursued in the next years of studies. This agenda focuses on key technologies driving DT in PI and addresses significant gaps in the current literature of Operations Management, Strategic Management, Organization's Theory, and Stakeholder's Theory. This review offers a theoretical foundation for further scholarly inquiry and knowledge development of the overall thesis. The second study highlights the transformation of organizational business structures and processes through DT, emphasizing the need for an interdisciplinary approach and cross-level perspectives. Using Action Design Research (ADR), a practical "Digital by Design" (DbD) framework is developed, emphasizing the interconnected dimensions of People, Process, And Technology dimensions. This framework provides practical guidance for designing and implementing DT into business processes, recognizing the significance of diverse organizational needs, individual uniqueness, technology integration, and cross-level empirical perspectives. The third study addresses the lack of research aligning AI and stakeholder Theory with industry and technology-oriented, interdisciplinary perspectives, utilizing different empirical lenses. Based on 16 interviews with Italian and Indian PI experts, 14 relevant themes were identified, leading to the development of an AI-driven Stakeholder Engagement Strategies. This model integrates organizational structure, culture, and means, enhancing stakeholder engagement and providing theoretical insights for effective AI deployment. The fourth paper emphasizes the relationship between strategic and cognitive readiness for digital innovation, AI Social Engagement, and their role in enhancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and economic performance. Using a Structural Equation Model based on a sample of 511 respondents in the PI, the study identifies that strategic and cognitive readiness improves SDG performance through AI Social Engagement. It also highlights the positive and significant relationship between AI user acceptance and improved economic performance through enhanced SDGs commitment. The fifth paper, an analysis of the evolving landscape of DT in the PI, based on a systematic literature review and topic modelling, identifies the opportunities and challenges of future PI-DT deployment. This study explores the transformative impact of integrating digital technologies, emphasizing the potential of the metaverse to revolutionize collaboration, patient care, simulation, precision, and safety within the industry. It provides a foundation for further exploration and discourse in this rapidly evolving field. Overall, this thesis significantly contributes to the understanding of DT in the PI by offering a comprehensive exploration of both theoretical and practical frameworks. Each article not only proposes innovative models and frameworks but also demonstrates their practical applications, thus bridging the gap between theory and practice. The insights gained from this research are instrumental in shaping the future of DT in PI and guiding the development of sustainable and innovative strategies. These strategies are crucial for enhancing operational efficiencies, fostering stakeholder engagement, and achieving long-term sustainability goals within the PI landscape. Through this work, new pathways are opened for academic inquiry and practical implementation, ensuring that the PI can effectively navigate and leverage the opportunities presented by digital transformation.