As digital transformation continues to reshape entire industries, the pharmaceutical sector faces particular challenges, that are often overlooked in generic maturity models, due to its complex, highly regulated environment. In view of this gap, the aim of this research was to develop a tailor-made maturity model that pharmaceutical companies can use to assess their current digital capabilities and identify opportunities for improvement.

The model was developed using the design science research methodology, which focuses on iterative design, evaluation and refinement of practical artefacts. The research process included a comprehensive literature review, benchmarking of twelve established maturity models, expert interviews with supply chain professionals and a pilot assessment with industry stakeholders. The resulting model covers both general dimensions of digital transformation as well as pharmaceutical specifics. The final artefact was incorporated into the ABILI platform, a digital strategy consulting tool that enables self-assessment, benchmarking and real-time data visualisation. To validate the model, a pilot study was conducted with stakeholders of a pharmaceutical company.

The results demonstrated the model's applicability in practice and its value in generating actionable insights to promote digital maturity. Feedback from industry experts confirmed that the model effectively captures the specific requirements of pharmaceutical supply chains. Overall, this work contributes a novel, domain-specific framework that increases transparency, promotes collaboration, and supports evidence-based decision-making in the context of digital transformation.