Petroleum University of Technology Petroleum Business Review 2645-4726 9 3 2025 07 01 Digital Transformation in Iran’s Oil and Gas Industry: Challenges and Managerial Solutions 70 85 221623 10.22050/pbr.2025.518977.1389 EN Mojtaba Ghorbani Asiabar Postdoctoral Researcher in Management and Planning, Payam Noor University, Qazvin, Iran 0000-0002-6689-4575 Morteza Ghorbani Asiabar Payame Noor University, Qazvin, Iran 0009-0005-5226-1522 Alireza Ghorbani Asiabar Payame Noor University, Qazvin,Iran 0009-0005-8532-2256 Journal Article 2025 04 25 This study investigates the multifaceted challenges of implementing digital transformation within Iranian oil and gas companies, focusing on organizational barriers and managerial solutions. Despite the global momentum toward digitalization, Iran’s oil and gas sector faces unique obstacles, including resistance to change, skill gaps, legacy infrastructure, and insufficient alignment between technology providers and large enterprises. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we conducted a survey of 210 managers and IT professionals across upstream and downstream organizations, complemented by in-depth interviews with key stakeholders. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed to identify and validate critical barriers and their interrelations. Findings reveal that organizational inertia, lack of digital competencies, and inadequate investment in digital infrastructure are the most significant impediments, while leadership commitment and targeted training programs emerge as effective managerial remedies. The study contributes actionable insights for policymakers and executives by outlining a roadmap for overcoming digital transformation hurdles and achieving sustainable competitive advantage. The results underscore the necessity of a holistic strategy integrating technological, human, and process dimensions to facilitate successful digital transformation in Iran’s oil and gas industry. https://pbr.put.ac.ir/article_221623_0f42ec454759ab8a519fbea84fbf36ac.pdf