Open Access

Alexander RossmannORCiD, Yusuf BozkurtORCiD

• The concept of digital twins is receiving increasing attention in research and management practice. Mentioned initially in 2003 by Michael Grieves, digital twins pave the way for cyber-physical integration and serve as a bridge between the physical and cyber worlds. Despite extensive research, there still needs to be a clear conceptualisation for digital twins. In addition to the conceptualisation of digital twins, another research gap relates to the development and implementation of measurement models for the degree of maturity of the implementation of digital twins. Such measurement models address whether a digital twin exists and which components must be implemented to implement digital twins effectively. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this research presents a holistic artefact for conceptualising maturity, grounded in the nine layers of the reference architecture of digital twins. Insights from maturity research are combined with this modelling, resulting in a practically applicable measurement model for digital twins with 72 items. This has extensive implications for further research and business practice. The present research's limitations and the need for additional research on the maturity of digital twins are discussed in conclusion.