A new international study involving Corvinus University of Budapest reveals that while modern digital technologies do not boost short-term profits, they improve asset efficiency in the global automotive industry.
The research team, supported by EU funding, included experts from Babeș-Bolyai University (Romania), Aalborg University (Denmark), and Corvinus. They examined 54 top car manufacturers and found that a 1 percent rise in digitalisation could increase asset turnover by over 0.5 percent, even if profitability lags behind for at least two years.
Professor Krisztina Demeter, lead researcher from Corvinus, emphasized that companies should be patient and ensure employees have the skills to use new technologies effectively. The study also highlighted that automotive suppliers are currently slightly ahead of manufacturers in adopting digital solutions.
The full findings appear in the International Journal of Production Economics, offering fresh insights into why digital investments matter for long-term competitiveness, beyond immediate financial returns.
Source: Corvinus University of Budapest
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