Master of Science Degree in Information Management

Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology

Research Proposal

E - Patent : Digital Transformation impact in Sri Lankan

Patent

Supervisor: Mr. Anuradha Jayakody

Student Name: Madurangi G.G.D.
Registration Number: MS17908252
Declaration

I declare that the research would involve material prepared by the myself and that it would not
fully or partially incorporate any material prepared by other persons for a fee or free of charge or
that it would include material previously submitted by a candidate in any other University or
Institute of Higher Learning and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it would not
incorporate any material previously published or written by another person in relation to another
project except with prior written approval from the supervisor and/or the coordinator of such
project and that such unauthorized reproductions will construe offences punishable under the
SLIIT Regulations.

I am aware, that if I am found guilty for the above mentioned offences or any research related
plagiarism, the SLIIT has right to suspend the project at any time and or to suspend us from the
examination and or from the Institution for minimum period of one year.

I
Abstract

Digital transformation is a long term process. It describes the sum total of changes associated with
the application of digital technologies in a society and economy. It opens up new opportunities to
change existing social economic structures, legal and policy measures, business models,
organizational patterns and cultural barriers. By managing this process well, a country can
optimize on benefits while minimizing the adverse effects. Sri Lanka’s digital transformation has
been underway for many years. In this research targeting in patent process, department of patent
in Sri Lanka. Currently most of the process are driven in manual procedures there for this research
hope to identify the digital transformation impact on Sri Lankan patent process. When conducting
the research researcher wants to identify competency gap between manual procedure and
digitization and find the solution for the accomplished the gap.

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Table of Contents

Declaration ....................................................................................................................................... i
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii
List of Figure.................................................................................................................................. iv
List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. iv
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 3
1.1. Background ...................................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Literature Survey .............................................................................................................. 5
1.3. Research Gap.................................................................................................................... 8
1.4. Research Problem ........................................................................................................... 11
2. Objectives ............................................................................................................................. 12
2.1. Main Objective ............................................................................................................... 12
2.2. Specific Objectives ......................................................................................................... 12
3. Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 13
3.1. Budget ............................................................................................................................ 14
References ..................................................................................................................................... 15

III
List of Figure

Figure 1: Digitization, Digitalization and Digital Transformation as parts of an incremental

process............................................................................................................................................. 3
Figure 2: Digital Transformation. ................................................................................................... 4
Figure 3: Building block of the digital transformation ................................................................... 6
Figure 4: Flowchart of the Registration Procedure. ........................................................................ 8
Figure 5: Roadmap for Digital Transformation Model................................................................... 9
Figure 6: Systematic literature review method ............................................................................. 13

List of Tables

Table 1: Roadmap for Digital Transformation Model .................................................................... 9

Table 2: Budget for the project ..................................................................................................... 14

IV
1. Introduction
1.1. Background

Patent is an exclusive right to a product or a process that generally provides a new way of doing
something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem [1]. E-Patent research which are trying
to identify digital transformation impact of Sri Lankan patent. Currently patent process is driven
by in manual way. Patent protection is granted for a limited period, generally 20 years from the
filing date of the application. When suddenly converting manual to automation procedure it will
become huge problem in day to day work as well as fully system. There for before converting to
the automation system, organization want to go through the analyzing the process. Before directly
go through the digital transformation, want to identify all the impact can be raised while doing the
transformation. There for this research proposal targeting to conduct to identify all the impact that
can be happen and identify the competency gap between existing patent process and digitized
process.

Digital transformation is the profound transformation of business and organizational activities,

processes, competencies and models to fully leverage the changes and opportunities of a mix of
digital technologies and their accelerating impact across society in a strategic and prioritized way,
with present and future.

Digital
Transformation

Digitalization

Digitization

Figure 1: Digitization, Digitalization and Digital Transformation as parts of an incremental process.

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The two relationships between ‘digitalization’ and ‘digitization’ are often used changeable, but
they represent two succeeding stages in the digital transformation ‘maturity ladder’ [2]. It is helpful
to clarify what each term actually means.

Digitization is the automation of current manual or paper based processes (documentation

procedures), empowered by the digitization of information. This substantial process convert
individual correspondent streams of information into digital bits. When organization say “we have
digitized”, that means “organization have moved from paper to digital data and from manual
procedures, which were about dealing with paper, to digital and computerized workflows and
processes” [3].

Digitalization, on the other hand, has both symbolic and solid dimensions. It is the way in which
many domains of social and economic life are restructured around digital communication and
digital media infrastructures [4]. It also refers to the ongoing adoption of digital technologies
across all possible societal and human activities. Digitalization is more about systems of
engagement and systems of insight, leveraging digitized data and processes.

Figure 2: Digital Transformation.

Digital transformation is combination of strategy and culture, staff and customer engagement,
process and innovation, technology and data and analytics.

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1.2. Literature Survey

In past few years, most of the industries are facing technological shifts. Market instability has
result in an essential for a better reaction to demand. In a perspective of authorizing business agility
and moving the method people work to optimize business performance, organization have
undertaken digital transformation. The most important innovations are fundamentally based on
internet and cloud technologies and it called digital technologies.

Digital transformation, also known as digitalization, refers to a business model driven by “the
changes associated with the application of digital technology in all aspects of human society” [5].
It is usually implemented through digitization, i.e. the “ability to turn existing products or services
into digital variants, and thus offer advantages over tangible product” [6].

“How Digital Transformation Shapes Corporate IT: Ten Theses about the IT Organization of the
Future” is research paper which are clearly define, digital transformation impact on IT industry.
According to the Frederik Ahleman, ”Digital transformation is a major challenge for many
organizations. IT managers in particular not only wonder what the next digital trends in their
industry will be, they also need to understand how today’s IT organizations will change in light of
digital transformation. Researcher have identify how digital transformation will influence
corporate IT and found out digital transformation as a major risk: Security and business continuity
will be primary cross-departmental functions. The growing use of IT even as parts of products and
services” [7].

“Digital transformation: A roadmap for billion- dollar organization” consulting business paper
identify large traditional firms are truly different from digital entrants, many are starting to
transform their businesses successfully through digital technology. According to the researcher
“the companies interviewed are moving forward with digital transformation at varying paces and
experiencing varying levels of success. Some are transforming many parts of their organizations
while others are still doing only the basics. Others are encountering organizational issues or other
challenges that prevent them from transforming successfully.

Analysis of the interviews shows clear patterns. Executives are digitally transforming three key
areas of their enterprises: customer experience, operational processes and business models (see
Figure 3). Within each of the three pillars, different elements are changing. These nine elements

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form a set of building blocks for digital transformation. Currently, no company in our sample has
fully transformed all nine elements. Rather, executives are selecting among these building blocks
to move forward in the manner that they believe is right for their organizations. The tenth element–
digital capabilities – is an essential enabler for transformations in all areas and challenges that
interfere with digital transformation. The paper concludes with a set of key levers senior executives
can use to successfully transform their organizations” [8].

Figure 3: Building block of the digital transformation

“The IoT and Digital Transformation: Toward the Data-Driven Enterprise” research paper identify
the importance of internet of things which are affected to the digital transformation. According to
the “Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are transforming the focus of business processes from
physical products to data-driven services.

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The authors propose a reference process for digital transformation of the company that goes
beyond traditional technology-driven approaches that solely focus on the identification,
specification, and implementation of IoT solutions to also include a strategy-driven approach that
takes into account complementary technologies and innovations, considers potential barriers to
digital transformation, and develops suitable countermeasures” [9].

According to the “Realizing digital transformation through a digital business model design
process” research paper conducted by researchers, and according to them “business model is an
abstract representation of a business description, and is formed to realize the value potential of a
business operation. When companies are hoping to become more digital, creation of new business
models may get inhibited by the vast amount of opportunities digitalization can bring and lack of
streamlined digital transformation processes. Therefore, a structured and practical approach is
presented here as a way to coordinate digital transformation. Best practices from business models,
innovation processes, and digital businesses are brought together to establish a methodology on
digital business model design. The key characteristics of digital business models derived from
applying this process are represented through Digital Business Model Innovation Loops, and are
validated by looking at digital initiatives in established companies” [10].

“Enhancing Breeder Document Long-Term Security using Blockchain Technology” research

paper discuss the importance of electronic documentation security. As result of the research,
Nicolas Buchmann, Christian Rathgeb, Harald Baier, Christoph Busch and Marian Margraf, those
researchers identify the advantages of Blockchain technology. According to that “In contrast to
electronic travel documents (e.g. ePassports), the standardization of breeder documents (e.g. birth
certificates), regarding harmonization of content and contained security features is in statu
nascendi. Due to the fact that breeder documents can be used as an evidence of identity and enable
the application for electronic travel documents, they pose the weakest link in the identity life cycle
and represent a security gap for identity management. In this research work, present a cost efficient
way to enhance the long-term security of breeder documents by utilizing blockchain technology.
A conceptual architecture to enhance breeder document long-term security and an introduction of
the concept’s constituting system components is presented. The investigations provide evidence
that the Bitcoin blockchain is most suitable for breeder document long-term security.”

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1.3. Research Gap

Figure 4: Flowchart of the Registration Procedure.

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Existing patent process are driven by manual procedure. Currently maintaining large number of
documentation, top to bottom of the process. It became difficult to maintain, store, analyzing
data and etc. When introducing the digital transformation in those processes, it will become more
advantage each and every user who are involving in patent process.
Below model is a roadmap for transforming organization into a digital workplace. It provides a
structured framework for content digitization, process automation, analytics and etc.

Figure 5: Roadmap for Digital Transformation Model

Table 1: Roadmap for Digital Transformation Model

Digital Organized Automate Streamline Transform

Documents Document Process Process Process
Pain  Excessive  Paper based  Excessive  Cumbersom  Balancing
Points storage data entry manual e, complex central
costs process process control
 No central with local
 Risk of access to  Process may  Lacking flexibility
document documents be digital data policy
loss but not oversight  Not align
 Department standardized with
 - Lack of information  Limited business
document silos  Lack of data process needs
access integration visibility
control  Redundant between across  Re-
work applications teams engineerin
activity g costs
 Lacking data
governance  Limited
analytics

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Key  Reduce  Reduce data  Improve  Support  Run and
Benefits costs entry errors productivity good data innovate
and capacity stewardship with a bi-
 Secure  Document modal
critical classificatio  Standardize  Manage approach
documents n and processes security and
organizatio compliance  An agile
 Eliminate n  Increase risks business
paper operational ecosystem
 Quick efficiency  Gain
retrieve business  Goal
document  Address insights alignment
regulatory and
 Enable  compliance  Optimized execution
document staffing
collaboratio levels
n

 Reduce
duplicate
work
activities

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1.4. Research Problem

Currently Sri Lankan patent process driven by manual procedure. There for employees who are
working in patent department, industry experts and customers who are willing to apply patent, and
etc. faced several kind of difficulties.

 Low efficiency
 High operational costs
 Data can’t be analyzed (approved patent)
 Ineffective gathering and leveraging of customer data
 Unsafe data storage
 Lots of human error
 Lack of a clear vision for a digital customer journey
 Employee pushback
 Lack of expertise to lead digitization initiatives
 Organizational structure
 Lack of overall digitization strategy
 Limited budget

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2. Objectives
2.1. Main Objective

 Identify digital transformation impact in Sri Lankan patent process.

2.2. Specific Objectives

 Identify competency gap between existing and digitized system in Sri Lankan patent
process.
 Overcome the followings :-
o Increases efficiency
o Reduces operational costs
o Enables data to be analyzed
o Safer data storage in the cloud
o Lack of human error

 Handling employee pushback during digital transformation

 Develop a company-wide digital transformation strategy
 Finding the expertise to lead digitization initiatives
 Managing budget through the digital transformation

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3. Methodology

Data
Research Research Quality Data
Study Section Synthesis and
Identification Strategy Assessment Extraction
Analysis

Figure 6: Systematic literature review method

Sampling method

 Convenient sampling

Convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling technique where subjects are selected

because of their convenient accessibility and proximity to the researcher. The subjects are
selected just because they are easiest to recruit for the study and the researcher did not
consider selecting subjects that are representative of the entire population.
In all forms of research, it would be ideal to test the entire population, but in most cases,
the population is just too large that it is impossible to include every individual. This is the
reason why most researchers rely on sampling techniques like convenience sampling, the
most common of all sampling techniques. Many researchers prefer this sampling technique
because it is fast, inexpensive, easy and the subjects are readily available.

 Judgment sample technique

Judgmental sampling is a non-probability sampling technique where the researcher selects

units to be sampled based on their knowledge and professional judgment. This type of
sampling technique is also known as purposive sampling and authoritative sampling.
Purposive sampling is used in cases where the specialty of an authority can select a more
representative sample that can bring more accurate results than by using other probability
sampling techniques. The process involves nothing but purposely handpicking individuals
from the population based on the authorities or the researcher's knowledge and judgment.

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  Target group
• Sri Lanka patent department
eg: - Employees
People who are willing to get patent
Industry Expert

 Data collection method

• Questionnaire
• Interview

3.1. Budget

Table 2: Budget for the project

Task Cost(LKR)
Internet Cost 8000.00
Printing Cost 8000.00
Transport Cost 4000.00
Total 20000.00

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References

[1] D. o. Patent, "National Intellectual Property Ofiice of Sri Lanka," Ministry of Industry and
Commerce, 4 10 2018. [Online]. Available:
https://www.nipo.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14&Itemid
=145&lang=en#how-to-protect-inventions-abroad.

[2] "digitization-digitalization - digital-transformation - disruption," www.i-scoop.eu, [Online].

Available: https://www.i-scoop.eu/digitization-digitalization - digital-transformation -
disruption.

[3] "Digitization, digitalization and digital transformation: the differences," www.i-scoop.eu,

2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.i-scoop.eu/digitization-digitalization-digital-
transformation-disruption/.

[4] S. B. A. D. KREISS, "Digitalization and Digitization," Culture Digitally, 08 SEPTEMBER

2014. [Online]. Available: http://culturedigitally.org/2014/09/digitalization-and-digitization/.

[5] S. a. Fors, "Companies of the future The issues of digital transformation".

[6] E. Steinhöfel1 and H. K. a. R. Orth, "Business Model Innovation: A Comparative Analysis,"

in ECIE 2016 : 11th European Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, At The
JAMK University of Applied Science, Jyväskylä, Finland, Finland, 2016.

[7] F. Ahlemann, "How Digital Transformation Shapes Corporate IT: Ten Theses about the IT
Organization of the Future," in Proceedings of the Federated Conference on Computer
Science and Information Systems, Germany, 2016.

[8] c. C. B. F. M. George Westerman, "Digital Transformation : A roadmap for billion-doller

organization," MIT Center for Digital Business and Capgemini Consulting, 2011.

[9] P. G. Alexander A. Pflaum, "The IoT and Digital Transformation: Toward the Data-Driven
Enterprise," in IEEE Pervasive Computing, Published by the IEEE Computer Society, 2018.

[10 P. H. D. G. D. K. M. Suthamathy Sathananthan, "Realizing digital transformation through a

] digital business model design process," Germany.

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