The impact of digital transformation maturity in institutions on the quality of administrative decision-making: An applied study on the Iraqi business environment

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between the maturity of digital transformation within organizations and the quality of administrative decision-making, focusing on a field application in the Iraqi business context. In an era marked by rapid digital advancements, organizations must attain high levels of digital maturity to improve operational efficiency and enhance strategic decision-making capabilities. Employing a descriptive-analytical approach, the research collected data via a structured questionnaire from a sample of 100 employees across various Iraqi higher education institutions. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software. The study tested three primary hypotheses: the overall association between digital maturity and decision-making quality, the influence of digital maturity sub-dimensions—including technological infrastructure, digital culture, human competencies, digital governance, and digital processes—and the differences in decision quality between institutions with high versus low digital maturity levels. Findings revealed a statistically significant and strong correlation between digital transformation maturity and administrative decision quality. Among the sub-dimensions, digital governance and technological infrastructure exerted the greatest impact. Furthermore, institutions demonstrating higher digital maturity exhibited superior decision-making quality compared to their less mature counterparts. Based on these results, the study recommends the adoption of comprehensive digital strategies, the cultivation of a robust digital culture, and the advancement of infrastructure and human resource capabilities to bolster the effectiveness and efficiency of administrative decisions within the Iraqi organizational environment.