Irish Businesses Prioritise Process Transformation, but Risk Overlooking Business Model Reinvention
The rapid acceleration of digital transformation has reached a critical juncture, with business process transformation emerging as the top priority for C-suite leaders in Ireland. According to PwC’s analysis of the 2025 CEO Survey data, 43% of companies plan to make significant or very significant investments in process transformation over the next three years—marking the highest level of commitment among all transformation categories examined.
While previous phases of digital transformation primarily concentrated on customer-facing initiatives or isolated technology deployments, business leaders are now recognizing that long-term competitive advantage hinges on fundamentally rethinking and reinventing business processes.
However, the data reveals a notable discrepancy. Despite process transformation ranking as the leading investment priority, only 36% of companies are planning similar levels of investment in business model reinvention. This misalignment suggests that many businesses risk optimizing existing processes without adequately preparing for potential disruptions to their core operating models.
A Strategic Path Forward
To navigate this transformation effectively, leaders must adopt a comprehensive, forward-thinking approach:
- Aligning Process Transformation with Business Model Reinvention
Process improvements should not reinforce outdated legacy structures but instead, create the agility required for future business model shifts. Organizations must ensure that transformation initiatives are designed to support strategic pivots rather than merely enhancing existing workflows.
- Balancing Investment Across Transformation Areas
Although 40% of companies are planning moderate investments in HR transformation, only 2% indicate intentions for large-scale workforce initiatives. This underinvestment in human capital may limit the effectiveness of process improvements, as workforce capabilities play a crucial role in sustaining operational advancements.
- Integrating Transformation Initiatives Across Functions
The survey data highlights varied investment intensities across different business functions—from finance to customer operations—raising concerns about potential organizational silos. Without cross-functional integration, transformation efforts may lack cohesion, ultimately reducing their impact on enterprise-wide resilience.
While process transformation is essential, it cannot stand alone. For businesses to achieve lasting success, investments must be coordinated across business model innovation, workforce development, and operational efficiency. A holistic approach will ensure organizations are not just improving processes but building long-term resilience in an evolving digital landscape.
| GDP (nominal) | Capital | Head of State | Head of Government | GDP (nominal) per capita | GDP (PPP) | GDP (PPP) | GDP (PPP) per capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Dublin | Michael Daniel Higgins | Simon Harris | 589.569 | 112.248 | 722.929 | 137.638 |
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