**3. Stages of the digital transformation process**

The digital transformation process, a multifaceted endeavor, has piqued the interest of scholars and practitioners alike as it involves the integration of new technologies into the core of an organization's operations, fundamentally altering the way it creates and delivers value to customers [12]. As organizations embark on their digital transformation journeys, they encounter a myriad of challenges and opportunities at various stages of the process. A deeper understanding of these stages, in conjunction with the associated challenges and opportunities, is essential for organizations seeking to navigate the complexities of digital transformation.

The acknowledgment of the need for change by an organization and the following creation of a future vision are what define the initial stage of digital transformation [1]. At this stage, firms struggle to determine the most pertinent technology and create a comprehensive strategy that is in line with their main business goals [4]. However, if firms keep a strong emphasis on strategic planning and resource allocation, the chances for growth and greater competitiveness that result from integrating digital technologies can offset these initial hurdles [3].

Organizations must deal with the challenges of integrating new technologies into their existing processes and infrastructure as they go to the deployment stage [13]. Effective change management is essential at this level because firms must deal with potential resistance from staff members who are concerned about how new technologies may affect their jobs and duties [10]. Organizations must make targeted training and skill development investments to promote a culture of learning and flexibility in order to address these issues and seize the potential for increased productivity and efficiency [11].

Organizations refine their usage of new technology and change their processes during the optimization stage of digital transformation to get the most benefit possible from these advances [14]. Organizations at this stage struggle to strike a balance between utilizing the advantages of current technology and remaining adaptable in the face of ongoing technological breakthroughs [6]. Organizations in this stage have opportunities if they can use data and analytics to guide decision-making and promote continuous improvement [15].

The ability of an organization to fully integrate new technologies into its core business processes and culture defines the maturity stage of digital transformation. At this point, the organization has achieved a level of digital readiness that enables it to continuously adapt and innovate in response to changing market conditions [16]. Organizations must negotiate the difficulty of maintaining their innovative edge at this level to avoid becoming complacent and risking falling behind their rivals [9]. Organizations that have successfully traversed the previous phases of digital transformation are well-positioned to use their digital capabilities for sustained growth and competitiveness, thus the prospects in this stage are wide [12].

In conclusion, the process of digital transformation takes place over a number of stages, each of which presents its own set of opportunities and problems for companies. Organizations can more successfully navigate the challenges of digital transformation by understanding the nuances of these stages and the implications that go along with them. In doing so, they will ultimately realize the enormous potential of new technologies to spur growth and competitiveness in the digital age.
