Digital Transformation Research Articles

Exploring the Critical Benefits and Challenges of Social Network Site-Based Requirement Elicitation in Saudi Arabia

The digital transformation and proliferation of social network sites (SNSs) have created new opportunities to consider digital sources to support the development of software systems. Social network sites (SNSs), such as Twitter and Facebook, can be major sources used during the process of requirement elicitation to identify and extract users’ requirements. The primary objective of SNS-based requirement elicitation is to overcome the limitations of the traditional requirement elicitation methods. However, these valued resources for requirement elicitation are yet to be fully exploited. Software products might not fulfill users’ needs owing to the numerous challenges in processing the data effectively. This study aims to explore the actual use, benefits, and challenges of SNS-based requirement elicitation. Twenty-five practitioners in the software companies in Saudi Arabia were interviewed, and thematic analysis was conducted on the interview data. With the application of the TOE model, five critical benefits and nine challenges were identified and classified into technological, organizational, and environmental contexts. The findings of this study offer valuable implications for researchers and practitioners by providing fine-grained details about the adoption of SNS-based requirement elicitation that could eventually facilitate its implementation effectively.

Navigating Digital Transformation

This paper outlines the design and implementation experience of a mentorship-based teaching approach for a third-year undergraduate Information Systems on Digital Strategy and Transformation. In its first iteration in 2021, the course struggled with a lack of engagement between staff and students, and overwhelmed students at the end of the semester. The mentorship-based teaching approach was trialled in the second iteration of the course to encourage learner agency and improvement in the students’ learning journey. Implementation of mentorship-based teaching resulted in a higher overall course satisfaction rate and improved staff-student engagement. The application of the mentorship model has been continually fine-tuned each semester since its implementation in 2021. The experience from this design and implementation serves as a case study to incorporate mentorship into the curriculum to facilitate learner agency. Educators may apply a similar process and framework to design a mentorship-based teaching strategy regardless of discipline.

Legal Issues of Ensuring Technological Sovereignty

Objective: to identify the legal issues of ensuring technological sovereignty and to determine scientifically grounded vectors of their solution.Methods: the study is based on formal-legal, historical-legal, comparative legal methods, as well as the methodology of soft systematicity, legal forecasting, and legal modeling. Results: the article presents a theoretical and legal approach to understanding sovereignty and differentiating its types. Under modern conditions, a significant role is given to the independence and autonomy of the state in the technological sphere. The correlation of digital and technological sovereignty is considered; the latter notion is outlined taking into account the gaining popularity of the Western concept of digital (technological) solidarity. The regulatory foundation of the state strategic autonomy is legal regulation, in which the concept of technology-centrism has been firmly established in recent years. The technological paradigm of modern legal regulations was identified. It consists in strategizing the scientific and technological innovations in strategic planning documents, as well as in sovereignization and cyclization of the legal sphere, digital transformation of the culture of lawmaking and law enforcement, technologization of the legal language, expansion of the scope of legislative regulation and the volume of subordinate legislation. The analysis of the correlation between the legislative and subordinate law levels of technological positioning of the Russian Federation in strategic areas has allowed to emphasize the important systemic interrelation of the involved traditional and innovative law-making tools as they ensure technological development. The author also identifies the risks of expanding legal experimentation in the digital area of public relations, which should exclude the possibility of circumventing the established critical limitations.Scientific novelty: the work forms a theoretical and legal model of ensuring technological sovereignty, which is of strategic importance for the preservation of the Russian Federation sovereignty in its classical understanding as the main and most important feature of the state.Practical significance: the results can be used in law-making activities of public authorities to create legal mechanisms for research, development and implementation of critical and end-to-end technologies and the production of high-tech products based on them in order to ensure national security of the Russian Federation.

The Impact of Digital Transformation on Educational Leadership: Assessing Digital Burnout and Mental Health in Virtual Teaching

This paper explores the role of digital transformation in altering the effects of educator burnout and mental wellbeing by affecting virtual teachers. The increased use of digital technologies in educational institutions has introduced educators with dual content management and technological platform duties that have led to levels of stress among educators. The research methods applied were quantitative, incorporating data that was sourced from 385 teachers. Various educational levels were included: the relationship between digital workload, digital literacy, support administration offered, and psychological indicators of mental health. The findings of this research revealed very highly positive correlations between digital workload and burnout (r = 0.62) and between burnout and mental health, notably anxiety and depression (r = 0.60 and r = 0.65 respectively). Indeed, the study found that increased digital literacy and administration support showed a positive relationship with reduced burnout. Results raise an enormous need for educational leaders to take strategic interventions through the enhancements of support systems, the development of digital literacy, and other resources related to mental health to counter some of the complexities of teaching related to the point of digital teaching. With such strength at its findings, there are indeed still limitations to this study, among which it relied on the self-reported data and the cross-sectional designs where it could not make way for causal inference. Future research should focus on long-term effects of digital transformation for educators' mental health as well as the potency of interventions to prevent burnout in digital educational settings. Findings from this study have implications for policymakers and education institutions looking to develop environments that promote educator wellbeing in the context of digital transformation.

The Moderating Role of Digital Transformation on the Relationship between CEOs’ Foreign Experience and Financing Constraints of Firms in China

The Moderating Role of Digital Transformation on the Relationship between CEOs’ Foreign Experience and Financing Constraints of Firms in China

Document Management System

A Document Management System (DMS) is a digital solution that enables the efficient organization, storage, retrieval, and management of documents in electronic format. It aims to streamline workflows, enhance productivity, and ensure data security in businesses or organizations by digitizing document handling processes. With features like version control, secure access, metadata tagging, and automated workflows, DMS minimizes the dependency on physical paper, reduces the risk of document loss, and facilitates compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, a DMS enables remote access and collaboration, making it easier for team members to work together on documents in real time, regardless of location. By centralizing document management, a DMS enhances operational efficiency, optimizes resource utilization, and supports the digital transformation efforts of modern enterprises.

Impact of Cloud Computing in Finance Graphs

The financial sector, which serves as the backbone of the global economy, has undergone significant transformation with the adoption of cloud computing. This paper presents a detailed analysis of the connection between cloud computing and finance, drawing insights from an in-depth review of scholarly articles in the Scopus database. As financial institutions navigate evolving customer demands, regulatory challenges, and the need for innovation, cloud computing has emerged as a dominant force. It has ushered in a new era where competition is reshaped and operational efficiency is prioritized. The introduction highlights the critical role cloud computing plays in enhancing the financial landscape. Traditionally, financial institutions have been complex and resource-heavy systems, but they now face the pressing need for digital transformation. Cloud technology's scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency offer a guiding light for organisations aiming to reimagine their operations in this digital era. This paper examines not just the evolution but the profound shift in which cloud technology becomes a key driver in redesigning the way financial services are developed, delivered, and experienced. Keywords—cloud computing, AWS, machine learning, finance.

Digital Transformation and Innovation of the News Media

Under the background of globalization and the rapid development of information technology, the digital transformation and innovation of news media have become an important trend of the industry. Traditional media adapt to the new audience needs and market environment through digital transformation, and gradually transform to diversified content production, personalized recommendation, multi-platform distribution and paid subscription mode. Many media organizations, such as the New York Times and the BBC, have explored the possibilities of content innovation and dissemination through artificial intelligence, big data and virtual reality. However, digital transformation also faces challenges such as information authenticity, privacy security and technology dependence. In the future, with the further development of new technologies, news media will continue to explore AI-driven news production, immersive reporting and blockchain applications to build a more innovative, efficient and credible news ecosystem.

THE INFLUENCE OF DIGITAL LITERACY AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ON THE RESILIENCE OF THE SHADOW EMBROIDERY INDUSTRY IN COASTAL DISTRICTS SOUTH WITH TECHNOLOGY DOPTION AS MEDIATION

The transition to digitalization in the handicraft industry such as Shadow Embroidery in Pesisir Selatan Regency requires a series of innovations and transformations to survive and increase competitiveness. Therefore, mastery of digital literacy and the ability to carry out digital transformation are very important. This study aims to examine the effect of digital literacy and digital transformation on the resilience of the Shadow Embroidery industry in Pesisir Selatan Regency with the adoption of technology as a mediating variable. This study uses a quantitative approach with a sampling method using a saturated sampling technique, involving 87 respondents, all of whom are Shadow Embroidery industry players in Pesisir Selatan Regency. The data obtained were analyzed using the SEM-PLS 4.0 method to see the relationship between the variables studied. The results of this study indicate that all hypotheses have a positive influence.

Exploring advanced techniques in process automation and control: A generic framework for oil and gas industry applications

This paper explores advanced techniques in process automation and control, offering a generic framework tailored for applications within the oil and gas industry. The framework addresses the growing need for operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability in an industry characterized by complex, high-risk processes. The adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has revolutionized process control systems, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and optimization of production assets. Advanced Process Control (APC) techniques, including model predictive control (MPC), multivariable control systems, and data-driven analytics, play a pivotal role in enhancing production, minimizing downtime, and reducing operational costs. This generic framework leverages the integration of AI and big data analytics for optimizing control strategies, ensuring accurate decision-making and improving operational responsiveness to changing conditions. Additionally, the paper examines how automated control systems mitigate risks associated with human error, while enhancing safety protocols by providing early warnings and real-time insights into equipment performance. Automation also supports the industry's shift towards more sustainable practices by improving energy efficiency, minimizing environmental impact, and enabling remote monitoring in hazardous locations. Through case studies and examples, the paper illustrates the successful implementation of these techniques in upstream, midstream, and downstream operations, highlighting the significant role of digital transformation in driving innovation. The proposed framework can be adapted to diverse oil and gas settings, serving as a foundation for developing scalable, flexible, and sustainable automation solutions. By outlining the key components and benefits of advanced process automation and control, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on how technological advancements can reshape operational strategies in the oil and gas sector. Keywords: Process Automation, Control Systems, Oil And Gas Industry, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Advanced Process Control (APC), Model Predictive Control (MPC), Predictive Maintenance, Digital Transformation, Sustainability.

AI and Database Management for Organizational Transformation With Insights From Twitter Data

This paper explores the role of AI and database management in organizational transformation using insights from Twitter data. By analyzing 30,000 English-language tweets with methods such as word analysis, topic modeling, network analysis, sentiment analysis, and emotion analysis, the study reveals a strong correlation between AI and digital transformation. The findings show positive sentiment and optimism about AI's potential. This research highlights the importance of social influence, perceived trust, and awareness in AI adoption, offering valuable insights for researchers and practitioners. Despite relying on Twitter data, the study provides practical guidance for leveraging AI in digital transformation efforts.

Cultural Heritage at Risk in World Conflicts: Digital Tools’ Contribution to Its Preservation

Cultural heritage is, today, particularly exposed to the devastation resulting from natural phenomena, but it is even more exposed to the destruction caused by man-made ones. Consequently, it is critical to adopt suitable and concrete provisions for its preservation and conservation. The conflict that has been raging in Ukraine since February 2022 has spotlighted problems related to cultural heritage, which is increasingly considered a military target. Digital transformation and technologies integrated with legal tools can contribute to making the system of protection and recovery of cultural assets more effective and efficient by redefining methodologies to safeguard and interact with them. This paper proposes a framework for integrating legal and digital tools that are functional for the preservation, conservation, and enhancement of cultural heritage. To define it, on the one hand, the legal instruments in force were analysed, and on the other, a literature review on the digital technologies currently available was carried out. The role of digital transformation in the cultural sphere was also examined, especially in light of Ukraine’s experience with the application of digital technologies to protect and recover cultural heritage during the current conflict.

SMEs in a Digital Era: The Role of Management

This article aims to explore the role of management in translating the external factors’ and internal barriers’ impacts on the level of adoption of digital technologies as a lever for change in business operations and processes in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs face a distinct set of challenges when adopting digital technologies, often lacking resources and knowledge. On the other hand, they have certain characteristics, such as simpler organisational structures and processes, that make them more flexible than larger firms in leveraging technologies into new business models. Data for this study are obtained from 989 SMEs in Bulgaria in the manufacturing and services sectors. A PLS–SEM analysis confirms eight hypotheses raised on the relationships between environmental factors and government support and internal factors (management support, organisational flexibility, and risk-tolerant culture) that impact digital business intensity. Environmental factors’ impact is stronger than government support, while internal barriers are found to have no statistically significant relationship. The research findings highlight the important role of management support in guiding digital transformation through supporting organisational flexibility and promoting a risk-tolerant culture.

Artificial intelligence adoption and credit ratings*

ABSTRACT Using 6,566 observations of bond credit ratings in China from 2010 to 2022, this paper empirically finds that artificial intelligence (AI) adoption by firms improves bond credit ratings via improving productivity and information transparency. Such a positive relationship is more pronounced when the issuers are non-state-owned enterprises, labor-intensive enterprises, or engage heavily in earnings management. This study enriches the literature of the influencing factors of credit ratings and the economic consequences of AI adoption. Furthermore, this study offers insights for enterprises seeking to leverage AI for reduced financing costs, and sheds light on future digital policy design.

Digital Government Transformation and Sustainable Development Goals: To What Extent Are They Interconnected? Bibliometric Analysis Results

The increasing prevalence of digital technologies has sparked interest in the relationship between digital transformation and sustainable development, leading to a surge in theoretical and practical research on this topic. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of publications in the Web of Science database to examine the extent to which sustainable development goals are integrated into digital government transformation discourses. Using statistical properties of the citation network and the main path approach to identify key publication clusters, the analysis reveals limited research explicitly focusing on the link between digital government transformation and sustainable development goals. Furthermore, articles exploring this interconnection are notably scarce in public administration journals, indicating a significant gap in the literature that requires further investigation.

Digital transformation: The geopolitical-organizational nexus

This special issue aimed to attract articles situating digital transformation in the geopolitical-organizational nexus. Unlike innovation and change panaceas (or fads) like business process reengineering (BPR) which became popular in the 1990s, digital transformation is a multi-level concept. Extending beyond the redesign of organizational and business processes, the analytical boundaries of digital transformation include ecosystems, organizational networks, business and operational processes, organizational identities, governance structures, and quality/cost dynamics. However, the extant literature on digital transformation continues to use the organization as the primary unit of analysis. Definitions of digital transformation vary widely, with some not dissimilar to the BPR era. The papers included in this special issue provide analytical and empirical examples on the pervasive effects from contemporary digital technology for society, organizations, and citizens. Future work which isolates the digital technology artefact would benefit from further refinement of the digital transformation concept. A starting point is to revisit the digital technology evolution over past decades which reveal the inflection points of technological change, specifically for mainframes, PCs, and the Internet. Such analysis will increase our understanding and contextualization of past panaceas like BPR for generating new insights on how digital technologies are front and center in debates on digital transformation.

Can urban digital intelligence transformation promote corporate green innovation? Evidence from China

Can urban digital intelligence transformation (DIT) facilitate corporate green innovation (CGI)? This research uses the staggered difference-in-differences (DID) approach to study how urban DIT, represented by the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Development Pilot Zones (AIIDPZs), affects CGI. Regression results indicate that urban DIT promotes both the quantity and quality of CGI. Mechanisms analysis reveals that urban DIT promotes CGI by facilitating digital transformation, increasing firms’ investment in R&D, and facilitating information sharing. Heterogeneity analysis shows that urban DIT has a more significant effect on promoting green innovation in non-SOEs, industries with lower pollution levels, and enterprises in regions with high intellectual property protection (IPP). This study offers new perspectives on the role of urn promoting green development and provides empirical support for policy-making.

Does corporate ESG performance promote export resilience? New insights from risk resistance and resilience

World economic uncertainty adds to the external risks of enterprises, and export resilience directly impacts enterprises' ability to withstand external risks. This paper examines the effect of ESG performance on export risk resilience using a sample of Chinese-listed A-shares from 2008 to 2021. We found that good ESG performance promotes corporate export resilience as evidenced by an increase in export resistance and resilience, a finding that still holds after robustness tests. Mechanism tests reveal that ESG performance can positively promote export resilience by strengthening corporate reputation and alleviating financing constraints. Firms' digital transformation has a moderating influence, and the higher its degree, the greater the positive effect of ESG performance on export resilience. T Heterogeneity tests show that the effect of firms' ESG performance on export resilience is more pronounced among non-state, growth, and mature firms. The above study is innovative in corporate ESG practice, and the findings offer a reference for corporates to participate in ESG practice and enhance export risk resistance.

Innovating Building Refurbishments: Embracing Global Digital Transformation for Today's Construction Industry

The Uberization of the construction industry is a clear indication that the sector is gradually shifting towards the digital era. This transformation signifies a significant digitization of construction, incorporating smart technology in various phases, from design and planning to execution, operations, and management. This paper delves into the importance of embracing digital technologies in building refurbishments to meet the evolving demands of today's construction landscape. By integrating innovative digital solutions such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, robotics, and other cutting-edge technologies, refurbishment projects can achieve cost-effectiveness, precision, and environmental sustainability. The benefits of this digital shift encompass improved project coordination, safety, cost efficiency, and environmental impact management. However, challenges like high initial costs, resistance to change, cybersecurity threats, and skill shortages persist. The digital transformation is also shaped by global trends such as urbanization, population growth, and the push for smart, sustainable cities. Governments and private sectors acknowledge the potential of digital construction in meeting these demands more effectively. Thus, the industry must adapt to these technological advancements to stay competitive and address future infrastructure needs. The primary goal of this paper is to underscore the importance of embracing global digital transformation in building refurbishments, offering insights and recommendations for stakeholders in the construction sector to leverage digital technologies effectively for enhanced project outcomes and long-term sustainability. This study aims to explore the global digitalization of building construction, examining how advanced technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionizing construction processes. By identifying the main drivers of digitalization in the construction industry, assessing the role of emerging technologies, and evaluating the benefits such as enhanced efficiency, cost savings, improved safety, and sustainability, this paper aims to showcase the necessity of digitalization to meet modern demands effectively. These abstract outlines the key concepts discussed in the paper, highlighting the advantages of integrating digital tools in building refurbishments, the obstacles, and opportunities in digital transformation within construction, and the potential impact on sustainability and project outcomes. Through case studies and industry insights, the study will demonstrate how digitalization is vital for staying abreast of modern requirements. Additionally, it will analysis case studies and successful implementations of digital technologies in refurbishment projects to illustrate best practices and lessons learned.

Narratives on the curricularization of cross cultural management and contributions to the internationalization of higher education

IntroductionThe objective of the research was to argue about the urgency of the Curricularization of Cross-Cultural Management, to provide better preparation for students in the face of social, economic and political dynamics.MethodsThe research takes a qualitative approach and uses a revisional methodology, considering articles published on the Web of Science and Scopus, with a search conducted in July 2024, with the descriptor “Cross-Cultural Management” considering the period from 2012 to 2024.ResultsThe narrative literature review was used, while the reading and choice of texts for the research corpus considered attention to the CCM approach, contributing to the construction of the argument about the curricularization of cross-cultural management.DiscussionIt is concluded that research and teaching on contemporary cross cultural management need to reflect on the varied worldviews and different paradigms, with attention to (i) digital transformation and virtual education; (ii) learning, connectivism, and formative experience; (iii) knowledge management and communities of practice; and (iv) conflict management.