The digitalization status: a case study assessment and a comparative analysis

Digital transformation is widely considered the most significant structural challenge for companies’ business models. In this sense, it is important to assess the evolution of the digital transition, analyzing patterns, challenges, and trends. This research methodology is composed of three phases: the first is a survey to assess the readiness of Portuguese industrial companies, the second phase is a literature review to collect relevant studies, and the third is a qualitative comparison of the sample analysed with the literature. Comparing 18 Portuguese industrial companies with 12 previous studies, the study shows that digitalization has progressed little, mainly at the operational level, but average readiness remains intermediate, with integration and advanced analysis below the standard reported in the literature. The results show that Portuguese industrial companies must strengthen systems integration, data management, and analytical skills to advance in digital maturity. The findings offer a clear diagnosis that can guide managers and decision-makers in prioritizing investments and defining more strategic digital transformation roadmaps. By integrating empirical evidence with a comparative analysis of 12 international studies, this research offers an original and in-depth perspective on the assessment of industrial digital maturity and a global qualitative comparison.