Digital twins of organization: implications for organization design

Abstract The recent rise of using digital representations for products and processes has created a movement to use ‘digital twins’ organization design. We provide an overview the notion twin as synchronized, real-time two-way interacting representation real-world phenomenon it is expected replicate twin. claim causal connection between makes current rhetoric about Digital Twins especially problematic. To grasp challenges involved in Organizations (DTO), we start from Things (DTT) Business Processes (DTBP). analyze compare different kinds twins Peircean theory semiotic relationships, which differentiate signals, icons, symbols. posit that order fully model organizations twins, designer needs features are not present DTTs DTBPs, such agency, conflict, emergence. Given inevitable presence symbolic phenomena, speculate what extent possible move towards full DTOs, characteristics broader DTOs need have, benefits more extensive will offer designers. finally pointers research agenda have potential improve designs contribute on