A new global study has found that while most industrial organisations regard digital ecosystems as a strategic priority, many continue to struggle with effective data-sharing, creating a significant gap between ambition and execution.

The findings are contained in the inaugural Industrial Intelligence Report on Digital Ecosystems and the Future of Connected Industries, released by AVEVA in collaboration with IMD Business School

According to the report, 74 per cent of industry leaders surveyed identified digital ecosystems as a top strategic objective, yet only 27 per cent said they extensively share data with ecosystem partners, highlighting challenges in translating digital strategies into practical outcomes.

The study drew insights from more than 275 senior executives across 12 industry sectors and found that organisations are increasingly investing in digital ecosystems to boost innovation, strengthen supply chain resilience and accelerate sustainability initiatives.

However, the report noted that several barriers continue to hinder progress, including legacy infrastructure, integration challenges, weak governance structures and limited interoperability between systems used by different organisations.

It further revealed that many companies face difficulties coordinating digital transformation efforts across partners within their value chains, limiting the effectiveness of ecosystem-driven initiatives.

Commenting on the findings, Michael Wade, Director of the IMD Global Centre for Digital and AI Transformation and Professor of Strategy and Digital at IMD, said successful digital ecosystems depend more on governance, integration and organisational learning than on technology alone.

He noted that while industrial sectors have traditionally relied on collaboration, digital technologies are reshaping these relationships into real-time, data-driven networks.

Chief Executive Officer of AVEVA, Caspar Herzberg, said the partnership with IMD seeks to move beyond identifying motivations for digital transformation and focus on developing practical frameworks that enable organisations to implement digital ecosystems effectively.

According to the report, “industrial intelligence” refers to the integration of operational technology, information technology and artificial intelligence to support connected decision-making across industrial ecosystems.

The study observed that organisations are increasingly turning to digital ecosystems to address complex challenges such as supply chain disruptions, pressure for faster innovation and growing sustainability demands. However, it warned that without stronger governance mechanisms and more robust data-sharing practices, many ecosystem initiatives may fail to achieve their intended outcomes.

Case studies highlighted in the report, including operations at Port of Rotterdam and industrial facilities in the Kwinana region of Western Australia, demonstrate both the opportunities and limitations associated with current ecosystem models.

The report concluded that as industrial digital transformation accelerates globally, the ability of organisations to generate value will depend less on adopting new technologies and more on their capacity to collaborate effectively, share information and align operational standards across interconnected ecosystems.