Digital Twin Adoption in the Swedish Water Sector

This thesis investigates internal organizational and technological factors influencing technology adoption in Swedish water utilities. As the sector confronts aging infrastructure and climate change, digital transformation becomes essential, yet risk-averse cultures create barriers to adoption. Through a qualitative multi-case study of five organizations, three DT adopters, one non-adopter, and one supplier, data from nine semi-structured interviews were analyzed using the TOE framework and DOI theory, as well as previous research. Findings reveal a circular dynamic in readiness where organizations need technical capabilities to adopt new technology, yet adoption itself develops these capabilities. While the technology’s advantages are recognized, non-adopters face an observability gap in quantifying benefits. Data quality emerges as a greater bottleneck than user interface issues. Organizationally, resource allocation capability, not absolute funding, determines adoption success, as urgent operations often crowd out strategic innovation. Post-adoption, IT centralization increases to manage security and integration needs.