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University of Cambridge

The Effect of Digital Twins on Organizational Learning

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The development of Digital Twins (DT) remains high in the digital transformation agendas of organisations. However, a paucity of field research exploring how DT are implemented in practice means their organisational value is not yet well understood. DT are a digital representation of a physical asset that is dynamically updated with data from its physical twin throughout its lifecycle, and their usage introduces new organisational dynamics that current literature cannot fully explain. This Thesis contributes to the understanding of DT value by exploring how the usage of DT affects a key source of competitive advantage: Organizational Learning (OL). More specifically, the following research questions are addressed: - How do Digital Twins affect Organizational Learning processes? - What factors influence and mediate the usage of Digital Twins and their effect on Organizational Learning processes? The effect of DT on OL is investigated through an extensive, multiple case study of DT implementations in the heavy assets industry. The cases include one in-depth case study with an aircraft engine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and two supporting case studies from wind renewable OEMs. Three interrelated DT variables that drive the effect of DT on OL are theorised: Individualisation, Synchronicity, and Organisational Orchestration. Their effects on OL, as well as the organisational outcomes arising from the enactment of each of the variables, are also theorised. This Thesis also advances our understanding of how the development and implementation of highly complex IT in a B2B context affects OL. In particular, it identifies limitations to the widely accepted notion that IT has a positive effect on Knowledge Acquisition and Information Distribution processes; extends current theory on Exploration and Exploitation processes; validates and extends previous research on the Timing of Learning; contributes towards the validation of theory on the organisational effect of Advanced Information Technology.

Degree

thesis:*
Name dc:type.qualificationname
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Level dc:type.qualificationlevel
Doctoral
Grantor dc:publisher.institution
University of Cambridge
Year dc:date.issued
2023

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Gomez Medina, Francisco
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Martinez Hernandez, Veronica

Subjects

dc:subject × 8

Rights

dc:rights
Language dc:language
eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
DOI dc:identifier.doi
https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.108946
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:www.repository.cam.ac.uk:1810/368930

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Cambridge University
Base URL
api.repository.cam.ac.uk/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Gomez Medina, Francisco. The Effect of Digital Twins on Organizational Learning. Doctoral thesis, University of Cambridge, 2023. https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.108946