From Digitization and Digitalization to Digital Transformation: A Case for Grey Literature Management

Following digitization and digitalization, digital transformation is the next step in the automation of grey literature management. A brief historical overview and analysis of current trends will shed some light on terminological differences in these three terms, but also on more important conceptual differences. At one time, these terms were used almost interchangeably, especially the first two. Although the term `digital transformation' is newer and currently more frequently used, it still causes semantic confusion. Digital transformation - including the management of grey literature - attempts to rise above this terminological ambiguity by assuming an umbrella role, encompassing digitization and digitalization as its constituting components and regarding them as small, but necessary, steps in the big picture of an organization's digital transformation. Digital transformation has a major impact on all activities carried out by those organizations that adopt it. Because it offers valuable opportunities for the growth of commercial, government, and public organizations, it requires the full attention of business and information managers. It also provides the opportunity to enhance the management of grey literature, increase its value and importance, and improve its usability and accessibility.