Digital transformation in business and management research: An overview of the current status quo

Does digital-industrial technology integration reduce corporate carbon emissions?

The integration of digital technology and industrial technology emerges as a pivotal avenue for enterprises to attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting the transition towards a sustainable and green trajectory of development. The panel data utilized in this paper encompasses financial, operational, and carbon emission metrics of publicly listed companies in China from 2008 to 2019. This longitudinal dataset enables us to perform robust statistical analyses to evaluate the impacts of Digital-Industrial technology integration on carbon emission intensity over time. The results indicate that: (i) Digital-Industrial technology integration significantly reduces the carbon emission intensity of enterprises, the conclusion remains robust when subjected to endogeneity and sensitivity analyses. (ii) Digital-Industrial technology integration mainly reduces the marginal cost of production and enhances the accumulation of knowledge to reduce the carbon emission intensity of enterprises. (iii) Digital-Industrial Technology Integration manifests more pronounced effects in curbing carbon emissions in regions characterized by robust property rights protection and well-developed digital infrastructure. (iv) Further research finds that Digital-Industrial technology integration increases the green technology innovation and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance of enterprises. The results of this study provide empirical evidence for the carbon emission reduction function of the Digital-Industrial technology integration, and also verify the positive externality impact of the Digital-Industrial technology integration on the enterprise green innovation and SDGs.

Affording digital transformation: The role of industrial Internet platform in traditional manufacturing enterprises digital transformation

This study aims to investigate the role of industrial Internet platform in facilitating the digital transformation of traditional manufacturing enterprises. While prior research has predominantly focused on industrial Internet platform enterprises, there is a noticeable dearth of research concerning traditional manufacturing enterprises lacking the resources to establish such platforms. To address this research gap, we conduct an exploratory case study and propose an affordances upgrade model that elucidates the digital business transformation process of these manufacturing enterprises leveraging industrial Internet platforms. The research findings can be summarized from two key perspectives. Firstly, the industrial Internet platform offers valuable technical support and potential opportunities for manufacturing enterprises to achieve digital business transformation through three distinct affordances: consonance, resonance, and adaptation. These affordances enable enterprises to align their operations with the capabilities and possibilities provided by the platform, thus facilitating their digital transformation. Secondly, to effectively harness these affordances, enterprises must strategically leverage the platform's technical services and systems in their production and operational practices. Through the accumulation of practical experiences, enterprises gradually transition their production modes from experience institutionalization and standardization to a state of refinement. The dynamic leapfrogging process of digital transformation in traditional manufacturing enterprises, facilitated by the industrial Internet platform, is reflected in the realization of these three affordances and their underlying resource capabilities. This research significantly contributes to the field by expanding the scope of inquiry to encompass traditional manufacturing enterprises and presenting a stage model for their digital transformation utilizing industrial Internet platform.

Uncovering the dynamics of enterprises digital transformation research: A comparative review on literature before and after the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly changed global practices of enterprise digital transformation (EDT). However, the impact of the pandemic on EDT research patterns remains unexplored. This study examines the overall development and research pattern shift of literature on EDT in the field of business and economics. A bibliometric analysis with CiteSpace was conducted on a total of 140 journal articles indexed the SSCI and SCIE databases on Web of Science prior to the pandemic and 621 articles published after the pandemic. The results suggest that following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significantly rapid growth of EDT-related publications, and the contributing role in EDT research of influential countries has undergone significant changes. Furthermore, the changes in keyword patterns were identified before and after the pandemic. Specifically, EDT research after the COVID-19 outbreak has been focusing on emerging topics, such as corporate governance, sustainable development, platform ecosystems, and dynamic capabilities. Finally, recommendations for future research are provided at individual, organizational, and ecosystem levels. Overall, this study is one of the first studies to uncover the dynamics of EDT research patterns due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, thus enhancing our understanding of the features and structures of digital transformation research in uncertain environment.

Driving forces of digital transformation in chinese enterprises based on machine learning

With advanced science and digital technology, digital transformation has become an important way to promote the sustainable development of enterprises. However, the existing research only focuses on the linear relationship between a single characteristic and digital transformation. In this study, we select the data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2020, innovatively use the machine learning method and explore the differences in the predictive effects of multi-dimensional features on the digital transformation of enterprises based on the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) theory, thus identifying the main drivers affecting digital transformation and the fitting models with stronger predictive effect. The study found that: first, by comparing machine learning and traditional linear regression models, it is found that the prediction ability of ensemble earning method is generally higher than that of tradition measurement method. For the sample data selected in this research, XGBoost and LightGBM have strong explanatory ability and high prediction accuracy. Second, compared with the technical driving force and environmental driving force, the organizational driving force has a greater impact. Third, among these characteristics, equity concentration and executives' knowledge level in organizational dimension have the greatest impact on digital transformation. Therefore, enterprise managers should always pay attention to the decision-making role of equity concentration and executives' knowledge level. This study further enriches the literature on digital transformation in enterprises, expands the application of machine learning in economics, and provides a theoretical basis for enterprises to enhance digital transformation.

The impact of corporate digital transformation on firms' performance in utilities sector

In the evolving business landscape, utility firms are undergoing transformative digital changes. The purpose of this study is to examine the unexplored link between utility firms' digital transformation and performance, by utilizing unique data from Chinese listed utilities. Empirical findings show a positive correlation between digital transformation and enhanced performance, with financial constraints and environmental performance as identified mechanisms. The research enriches understanding of digital transformation's economic consequences, providing practical insights for implementation, especially for environmentally conscious firms. Considering textual analysis and sample size limitations, future studies could assess utility firms' digital transformation across diverse economies with a more thorough evaluation of a firm's level of digital transformation.

An empirical evaluation of technology acceptance model for Artificial Intelligence in E-commerce

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become essential to Electronic-Commerce technology over the past decades. Its fast growth has changed the way consumers do online shopping. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a theoretical framework, this research examines how AI can be made more effective and profitable in e-commerce and how entrepreneurs can make AI technology to assist in achieving their business goals. In this regard, an online survey was conducted from the online purchasers of e-commerce firms. The Partial Least Square (PLS) Smart was used to examine the data. The broadly used TAM was identified as an appropriate hypothetical model for studying the acceptance of AI technology in e-commerce. The findings of this study show that Subjective Norms positively impact Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Pursued Ease of Use (PEU), trust has a positive effect on PEU, and PEU positively impacts PU and attitudes toward use. Similarly, PU also has a positive effect on attitudes toward use and intention to use. Furthermore, the findings do not support the impact of Trust on PU and attitudes towards behavioural intention to use. Lastly, behavioural intention to use positively impacted the actual use of AI technology. This study adds theoretical and practical knowledge for adopting the TAM model in the E-commerce sector. It helps entrepreneurs to implement the TAM model in their business to use AI in a better and more appropriate way.

Responsible Digital Transformation for a Sustainable Society

In the ever-evolving area of digital transformation, following responsible and sustainable practices is essential. This editorial article discusses the importance of responsible digital transformation, emphasizing the need for academia, private and public organizations, civil society, and individuals to work together in developing digital business models that generate shared value while addressing societal challenges. The article highlights the emergence of corporate digital responsibility (CDR) and the shift from industry 4.0 to industry 5.0, which focuses on human-centric approaches and human-AI partnerships. Furthermore, it underscores the need for interdisciplinary research and systematic approaches encompassing various dimensions of sustainability. By integrating sustainable ICT principles into digital transformation initiatives, organizations can contribute to a more sustainable and responsible digital future. The suggestions in this paper, coupled with the nice research contributions included in the special issue, seek to offer a broader foundation to support responsible digital transformations for sustainable societies.

Digital transformation and marketing: a systematic and thematic literature review

This article provides a systematic review of the extensive and fragmented literature focused on Digital Transformation (DT) and marketing by identifying the main themes and perspectives (i.e., employees, customers, and business processes) studied by previous research. By mapping the DT literature in the area of marketing, 117 articles, published between 2014 and 2020, have been identified. Through the adoption of a content analysis process, a multi-dimensional framework synthesizing the DT and marketing binomial has been provided. Results identify two thematical patterns: the macro-themes, related to the main digital technologies adopted within the marketing function, and the micro-themes, related to the effect/impact of these technologies on marketing processes and activities. Concerning the micro-themes, findings show how they have mainly studied from the customer and business processes’ perspectives, thus identifying an interesting research gap related to the analysis of the DT-marketing phenomenon from the employees’ standpoint. Based on these results, the paper derives a research agenda by also providing theoretical and managerial implications. Theoretically, it is the first systematic and thematic review focused on DT and marketing. In particular, it analyses this binomial from a broad and comprehensive perspective, thus offering a synergistic framework of the existing literature, which allows an inclusive vision and understanding about the phenomenon. At the managerial level, the paper could help organizations to enhance their awareness about marketing areas and processes that could better benefit from digitalization, thus driving the overall transition of firms towards DT.

The digitization process and the evolution of Clinical Risk Management concept: The role of Clinical Engineering in the operational management of biomedical technologies

Introduction

Digital transformation and technological innovation which have influenced several areas of social and productive life in recent years, are now also a tangible and concrete reality in the vast and strategic sector of public healthcare. The progressive introduction of digital technologies and their widespread diffusion in many segments of the population undoubtedly represent a driving force both for the evolution of care delivery methods and for the introduction of new organizational and management methods within clinical structures.

Methods

The CS Clinical Engineering of the "Spedali Civili Hospital in Brescia" decided to design a path that would lead to the development of a software for the management of biomedical technologies within its competence inside the hospital. The ultimate aim of this path stems from the need of Clinical Engineering Department to have up-to-date, realistic, and systematic control of all biomedical technologies present in the company. "Spedali Civili Hospital in Brescia" is not just one of the most important corporate realities in the city, but it is also the largest hospital in Lombardy and one of the largest in Italy. System development has followed the well-established phases: requirement analysis phase, development phase, release phase and evaluating and updating phase.

Results

Finally, cooperation between the various figures involved in the multidisciplinary working group led to the development of an innovative management software called "SIC Brescia".

Discussion

The contribution of the present paper is to illustrate the development of a complex implementation model for the digitization of processes, information relating to biomedical technologies and their management throughout the entire life cycle. The purpose of sharing this path is to highlight the methodologies followed for its realization, the results obtained and possible future developments. This may enable other realities in the healthcare context to undertake the same type of pathway inspired by an accomplished model. Furthermore, future implementation and data collection related to the proposed Key Performance Indicators, as well as the consequent development of new operational management models for biomedical technologies and maintenance processes will be possible. In this way, the Clinical Risk Management concept will also be able to evolve into a more controlled, safe, and efficient system for the patient and the user.

Digital transformation: A meta-review and guidelines for future research

The emergence of digital transformation has changed the business landscape for the foreseeable future. As scholars advance their understanding and digital transformation begins to gain maturity, it becomes necessary to develop a synthesis to create solid foundations. To do so, significant steps need to be taken to critically, rigorously, and transparently examine the existing literature. Therefore, this article uses a meta-review with the support of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Protocol. As a result, we identified six dimensions and seventeen categories related to digital transformation. The organizational, technological, and social dimensions are still pivotal in digital transformation, while two new dimensions (sustainability and smart cities) still need to be explored in the existing literature. The need to deepen knowledge in digital transformation and refine the dimensions found is of paramount importance, as it involves some complexity due to organizational dynamics and the development of new technologies. It was also possible to identify opportunities, challenges, and future directions.

The influence of institutional conditions on firms’ process innovation – evidence from firms based on a multi-country analysis

Purpose

Our understanding of the influence of institutional conditions on process innovation is still limited, despite managers’ need to know which factors should be considered in decision-making and governments should be aware of how to foster process innovation through the provision of attractive institutions. Therefore, this paper aims to examine how institutional dimensions such as workforce, political instability, labor regulation, corruption, tax administration and transportation influence process innovation in smaller firms located in emerging countries other than the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

Design/methodology/approach

A data set from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys questioning over 20,000 companies from 41 emerging countries supplemented by the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for each country was used and analyzed by the means of general linear mixed models. The analysis emphasized small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and excluded BRICS countries.

Findings

The findings demonstrate which institutional factors matter for process innovation depending on company size and GDP.

Research limitations/implications

This paper advances research on the influence of institutions on firm innovation – the institution–process innovation relationship in emerging countries other than the BRICS in particular. By considering the role of company size and GDP per capita on the institution–process innovation relationship, the paper offers more nuanced insights compared with prior studies and thus makes a strong contribution to the innovation theory. The data used are not suitable for a longitudinal study the same refers to capturing the variety found in the countries even those coming from the same geographic area.

Practical implications

The results provide practitioners, e.g. managers of SMEs, with concrete ideas on how to improve process innovation in their companies. Other actors such as policymakers too can benefit from the results as they will allow the design of more target group-oriented measures, aspects that can ultimately lead to more sustainable businesses.

Originality/value

By focusing on process innovation and emerging countries, the paper contributes to growing research efforts in emerging countries beyond the BRICS. Thus, the results add more diversity to the study of process innovation and its influencing external (institutional) factors. The emphasis on SMEs also allows us to highlight differences between different categories of SMEs.

The role of enterprise architecture-driven dynamic capabilities and operational digital ambidexterity in driving business value under the COVID-19 shock

This article builds upon the dynamic capabilities view and argues that firms that developed their dynamic capabilities using enterprise architecture (EA) are better equipped to cope with the COVID-19 shock. An online survey collected data from 414 senior practitioners, business and IT managers, and executives. The study's research model containing three hypotheses was assessed by applying Partial Least Squares (PLS) structural equation modeling (SEM), PLS-SEM. Outcomes point out that dynamic capabilities driven by EA enhance the firm's digital dynamic capability and, therefore, the competencies to manage digital technologies. This capability subsequently enhances the firms' operational digital ambidexterity. Also, outcomes show that operational digital ambidexterity significantly impacts business value. This study advances our knowledge and insights on developing EA-driven dynamic capabilities under COVID-19 and unfolds key areas where decision-makers should invest in enhancing business value.

Literature reviews as independent studies: guidelines for academic practice

Review articles or literature reviews are a critical part of scientific research. While numerous guides on literature reviews exist, these are often limited to the philosophy of review procedures, protocols, and nomenclatures, triggering non-parsimonious reporting and confusion due to overlapping similarities. To address the aforementioned limitations, we adopt a pragmatic approach to demystify and shape the academic practice of conducting literature reviews. We concentrate on the types, focuses, considerations, methods, and contributions of literature reviews as independent, standalone studies. As such, our article serves as an overview that scholars can rely upon to navigate the fundamental elements of literature reviews as standalone and independent studies, without getting entangled in the complexities of review procedures, protocols, and nomenclatures.

Concept of High-Tech Enterprise Development Management in the Context of Digital Transformation

The purpose of this article is to check and identify management gaps that lead to the formation of digitalization problems in enterprises in the context of Industry 4.0 and to offer a conceptual approach to managing the development of high-tech enterprises in digital transformation. The paper substantiates the concept of digital transformation management in a high-tech enterprise based on interdependent adaptive systems for planning digital transformation processes, monitoring, and change management. The paper considers the idea of the Industry 4.0 concept and presents principal technologies and tools that contribute to the gradual transition to digital transformation. It is determined that digital transformation is a process of transition to digital business, which involves the use of digital technologies to change business processes in the company and provision of new opportunities for additional income and development prospects. A conceptual model of enterprise competitiveness formation in the process of digital transformation has been developed, which includes organizational and economical digital tools for sustainable development of high-tech enterprises and synergies from the organization of new forms of digital interaction. The proposed methodology for managing the development of high-tech enterprises in the context of digital transformation is based on the formation of an ecosystem model of decentralization in a single distributed digital space, based on interconnected adaptive systems of planning, monitoring, and change management, and, on the basis of modeling and forecasting of complex manufacturing and logistics processes of high-tech industries, it allows effective implementation of the innovative order portfolio in the short term and with limited opportunities while coordinating the priorities of the business strategy and strategy of digital transformation of high-tech enterprises.

Digital Transformation and Sustainable Business Models

This article explores several aspects of digital transformation, including definition, enabling technologies, and strategies. It argues that firms seeking to maximize the impact of their digital transformation strategy should aim to build a Sustainable Business Model (SBM). In addition, it introduces the seven articles of the Special Issue. Overall, the article takes a systems approach that appreciates the dynamic complexity of digital transformation and suggests some directions for future research.

Show Me What You Do and I Will Tell You Who You Are: A Cluster Typology of Supply Chain Risk Management in SMEs

Although research on risk management (RM) in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general and regarding supply chains (SCs) has increased recently, our understanding is still rather fragmented and underdeveloped. This refers particularly to new types of risks such as dynamic crises or emerging risks associated with digital transformation (DT). Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory paper is to investigate RM in SMEs in SCs. More precisely, the aim is to identify patterns that can be used to group SMEs according to their risk behavior (i.e., risk attitude and perception). Drawing from a data set of 181 European SMEs, this paper empirically conceptualizes a typology of SMEs. The typology consists of four distinct types of SMEs that emerged from a cluster analysis: collective risk eliminators, collective playing it safe seekers, collective risk-ignoring knights of fortune, and collective neglecting imperturbable ones. The findings indicate that different risk behavior leads to different degrees of collaboration within the SC. Furthermore, the close interconnection between RM as found in the different clusters and the respective firm’s innovation performance can be shown. By acknowledging the heterogeneity found in SMEs, this paper breaks away from mainstream research that tends to consider SMEs as a homogeneous entity.

Research on Digital Transformation Based on Complex Systems: Visualization of Knowledge Maps and Construction of a Theoretical Framework

In the digital age, the exploration of digital transformation has made remarkable progress in many fields. However, the existing theories related to digital transformation at the organizational level are relatively scattered, which makes it difficult to support the practical exploration of organizational change in the digital context. Through quantitative and visual analysis of the literature in the field of digital transformation, this study analyzes the research situation in this field from the aspects of the paper publishing trend, node literature, key scholars and regional cooperation. Through the analysis of the keywords co-occurrence network, the research frontier of digital transformation is identified, and, based on complex systems, this study discusses the research frontier from three aspects: organizational symbiosis oriented by environmental coordination, ability remodeling oriented by structural optimization and value creation oriented by functional realization. Further, based on the analysis framework and principle of organizational management systematics, this study constructs the theoretical framework of digital transformation from three aspects: core dimension, implementation mechanism and action mechanism. The systematic theoretical framework can provide reference for the development of relevant theories of digital transformation and better support the management practice of digital transformation.