Open Access

Anna Waldraff

• The rapid acceleration of digital transformation (DT) presents organizations with unique challenges, particularly in terms of overcoming employee resistance and addressing the digital competences gap. Established change management models (CMMs) such as those of Lewin, Kotter and Krüger provide a framework for managing organizational change, but their relevance to the complicated dynamics of digital transformation has not yet been explored in depth. The aim of this thesis is to assess how effective these models are in encouraging employees to implement DT, with a particular focus on the importance of digital competences. In order to understand the relationship between digital competence and employee acceptance in DT, a quantitative survey was performed with 257 participants. The results show that higher levels of digital competence are strongly associated with greater openness to change, active engagement and successful integration of digital tools into daily workflows. Conversely, employees with lower digital competence reported a higher level of uncertainty and hesitation when introducing new technologies. Contrary to expectations, the study found no significant differences in digital competences between employees who participated in traditional training programs and those who did not. However, access to self-directed learning resources was found to significantly increase engagement in autonomous learning. Based on these findings, the structured development of digital competences is included in Krüger's CMM as a fundamental component of the change process. AI-driven learning platforms, microlearning and gamification are identified in the study as helpful tools for effective learning methods that address the recognized barriers to formal training. The findings add to the theoretical understanding of DT and provide practical guidance for organizations. Overall, the results underline that the continuous development of personalized digital competences is essential for sustainable success in an increasingly digital world.