Transformation Process Research Articles

Leveraging social capital for digital transformation: The role of ambidexterity and familial orientation

In pursuing competitive advantage, businesses are diffusing new digital technologies across their value chains and, by doing so, catalyzing significant organizational changes in operational processes and strategic approaches. This widespread evolution of businesses has prompted significant questions regarding the drivers of digital change, the necessary resources, and the capabilities that need to be developed or reconfigured. Our paper focuses on the role of intangible resources, such as a firm's social capital, and its specific implications for the broader research on this phenomenon. Consistent with the resource-based view, we examine the role of different types of social capital as critical resources in the digital transformation process while also considering the mediating role of the balancing act of the capabilities around business alignment and adaptation encompassed in the concept of ambidexterity. Furthermore, we introduce a contextual dimension to our study by examining family involvement in a firm as a significant factor influencing how businesses shape their digital goals and allocate resources toward digital transformation. Our paper addresses this under-explored research field by drawing on a large, cross-sectional dataset from an online panel study with 582 management-level participants from UK firms. After testing our hypotheses, our study's results indicate that bridging and bonding social capital resources significantly promote digital transformation by indirectly developing an ambidextrous orientation. Moreover, familial orientation strengthens both relationships. This research is currently one of the few studies providing empirical evidence on the relationship between digital transformation, its antecedents, and, specifically, the role of intangible resources.

Digital transformation in Russia: Turning from a service model to ensuring technological sovereignty

The paper outlines core aspects of the digital transformation process in Russia since the early 2000s, as well as recent legislative initiatives and practices at the federal level. It considers the digitalization of public services, efforts towards ‘sovereignization’ of the Russian segment of the Internet, and the current focus on cybersecurity and the development of artificial intelligence. The paper highlights the tendency to strengthen the factor of protection of state interests and national security alongside control over online activities of citizens in comparison with the initial understanding of digital transformation as a human-oriented process aimed at increasing the accessibility and convenience of public services. It can be assumed that this change in the goals and methods of digital transformation is one of the manifestations of a broader political, social and cultural process of separation, primarily from the West, that Russian society is currently undergoing, amidst a growing official narrative of threats from both external and internal forces that require greater independence and increased vigilance, including in the digital domain.

A Machine Learning and Fuzzy Logic Model for Optimizing Digital Transformation in Renewable Energy: Insights into Industrial Information Integration

The most essential criteria to improve digital transformation in renewable energy projects should be identified. This situation helps the companies to use limited financial budgets and human resources in the most efficient way. Therefore, a new study is needed to analyze the performance indicators of the digital transformation process in renewable energy projects. Accordingly, this study aims to identify the most significant performance indicators of digital transformation for these projects. A three-stage machine learning and fuzzy logic-based decision-making model has been constructed in this process. The first stage includes the weight calculation of the experts by dimension reduction methodology. Secondly, essential factors of digital transformation in renewable energy projects are examined via Fermatean fuzzy criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC). The final part consists of the ranking of emerging seven countries with Fermatean fuzzy weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS). On the other side, combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) method is also taken into consideration in this process to make a comparative evaluation. The main contribution of this study is the generation of novel machine learning and fuzzy logic integrated decision-making model to make evaluation related to the digital transformation of renewable energy projects. In this model, machine learning technique is used to determine the importance weights of the experts. Similarly, integrating Fermatean fuzzy numbers with CRITIC and WASPAS techniques also contributes to the literature by minimizing the uncertainty and identifying the relationship between the items. The findings demonstrate that employing qualified personnel plays the most critical role in increasing digital transformation in renewable energy projects. Additionally, government support is very critical in the successful implementation of digital transformation processes in renewable energy projects.

A microscale cellular automaton method for solid-state phase transformation of directed energy deposited Ti6Al4V

Directed energy deposition is a promising additive manufacturing technology that fabricates complex geometries by fusing feed material layer-by-layer. However, the formation mechanism of the directed energy deposited Ti6Al4V solid-state phase transformation process, which is crucial for understanding the process-structure–property relationship, has remained unclear. In this study, a microscale cellular automaton method is proposed to simulate the microstructure evolution process for Ti6Al4V, specifically the β→α/α′ phase transformation process within a few β grains. The method is further integrated with the mesoscale cellular automaton method, which predicts the prior β grain structure, the solid-state phase transformation kinetics model for the prediction of the phase volume fractions, and the finite volume method, which is used for the thermal-fluid flow modelling, providing a temperature field to the former. The integrated numerical framework not only links the thermal history with the phase volume fractions but also provides the columnar β grain structures and acicular α/α′ grain structures in satisfying agreement with the available experimental observation. Moreover, the predictions shed some light on the formation mechanism of the hierarchical α/α′ structure and their particular clusters. The influence of the cooling rate on the α/α′ grain formation is illustrated via the three-layer case simulation. The findings on the formation mechanism of α/α′ are beneficial in tailoring the microstructure of Ti6Al4V for excellent mechanical properties in directed energy deposited Ti6Al4V.

Investigation into the purification and regeneration of rare earth polishing powder waste via continuous solid-phase conversion

The concentration of rare earth elements (lanthanum, cerium, and praseodymium) within rare earth polishing powder waste (REPPW) typically exceeds 50 %, with the majority of impurities comprised of silicon and aluminum-related compounds. Transforming REPPW into recycled rare earth polishing powders that adhere to polishing standards in an eco-friendly and economically viable way presents a significant challenge in the industry. Traditional acid or alkaline processes predominantly recover rare earth elements as oxides, which are underutilized due to their high costs. Considering the varying forms of impurities and rare earth compounds found in REPPW, this research introduces a novel physicochemical decontamination and continuous chemical transformation process aimed at producing regenerated rare earth polishing powders. Under optimal conditions, the physicochemical two-step decontamination process achieved a rare earth recovery rate surpassing 92 %, while silicon and aluminum removal rates reached 86.12 %. During the continuous chemical transformation of REPPW, the rare earth phases in an alkaline setting followed the sequence REOF (CeO2) → RE(OH)3 → RECO3OH→RECO3F→CeLa2O3F3(CeO2), which not only facilitated phase reorganization but also enhanced the particle surface structure. Notably, these chemical transformations did not disrupt the rare earth distribution; instead, they indirectly boosted product purity and uniformly dispersed within the regenerated polishing powder particles, thereby improving polishing efficiency. Consequently, the adoption of this innovative regeneration process for polishing powders holds substantial importance for the sustainable utilization of rare earth resources.

A lightweight semi-active ankle exoskeleton utilized NiTiCu-based shape memory alloys for energy storage.

Nowadays, exoskeletons have a place in many fields, such as industrial production, medical rehabilitation, and military. However, there are still many shortcomings in the existing exoskeleton, such as heavyweight and complex structures for active exoskeleton. The driving ability of passive exoskeletons is limited. To reduce the energy consumption of wearers, based on the characteristics of the semi-active ankle exoskeleton, this paper proposes to use NiTiCu-based shape memory alloys (SMA) as the energy storage source to improve the power density. Compared to NiTi-based SMA, the phase transformation process of NiTiCu-based SMA is more rapid, which can solve the response delay problem to a certain extent. The ankle exoskeleton uses SMA deformation to compress the bias spring. When the human ankle joint needs auxiliary torque, the SMA releases the energy stored by the bias spring and transfers the energy to the ankle exoskeleton to achieve the effect of assisting the human ankle joint. During the assistance process, a control system based on the SMA mathematical model is constructed. The above-mentioned ideas provide a new approach for further expanding power density and can be widely applied in the field of robotics. During characterization, this semi-active ankle exoskeleton can effectively complete the movement state of upstairs and walking, achieve an effective power of 180 N, and store maximum energy up to 5J for the human ankle.

The Role of the Merchant Class in Japanese History: A Case Study of the Mitsui Family (1639-1895)

The birth of the Mitsui family was a necessity in the historical development of Japan in the context of changes in social classes, in particular, the role of the merchant class is increasingly recognized by the government through the contributions of merchants to the economic development of the country, onward, the unstable political situation and complicated financial and monetary confusion when there are two types of money, old and new, circulating at the same time. The Mitsui family which specialized in foreign trade and monetary finance, was born to promptly meet the changing and developing needs of Japan at that time. The main research methods are historical and logical. Using historical methods, we began to research the origins of the Mitsui family and the process of development and transformation of the business model from feudal society to capitalism. The logical method is used to determine the characteristics and nature of the relationship between economics and political values when analyzing the role of the Mitsui family according to a system. This study clarifies the formation conditions, ownership characteristics, form of management, and fields of activity of the Mitsui family as well as analyzes the role of this family in the development of Japan during the period of capitalism.

EDUCATION-DEVELOPMENT NEXUS: THE NIGERIA’S EXPERIENCE

Development as a concept and a process transcends individuals and society, thus, considered as a multidimensional process of change and transformation manifesting in economic growth, progress and prosperity in environmental, social, psychological, political and demographic components of society. It is about increasing the chances and improving the well-being of every individual to attain their full potentials in society, through human capital investment. Education has been equated to be the indisputable means of investing in people in order to explore their potentialities, creativity, innovation and self-consciousness. This conceptualises the concept of development as growth in the nation’s or societal income and economy with corresponding enhancement of material well-being of individuals in terms of basic necessities of life such as education, food, clothing, shelter, skills, freedom, self-discipline. It showcases some development issues in Nigeria and argued that provision of qualitative education to citizenry directly affects the level of society’s growth and development. The growth theory however lays emphasis on growth rate differentials across countries, the role of externalities in determining the rate of return on capital investments, and assuming that both public and private investments in human capital help in generating external economies and productivity improvements.

Gentle Skepticism to the Degeneracy Nature of “First Genetic Code UUU”

This study reports our discoveries about the serious defects of the genetic topic “UUU’s degeneracy”, as • Matthaei-Nirenberg poly-U experiment in 1961 never mentioned the degeneracy nature of first genetic code UUU. • Ochoa’s experimental conclusion “3U:phe, 2U1C:phe” was lack of the chemical transforming process between “20 groups of 3 nucleotides (or 20 species of amino acids)” and “64 linear nucleotide triplets( or 64 times of amino acids frequency), the mathematical transformation of three consecutive nucleotides on Watson-Crick model of DNA from 64 linear triplets to 20 triangles (in Gamow’s observation of diamond code) could never be the chemical relations to make “20 species of amino acids” repeated to “64 times of amino acids” , and Ochoa’s UUU was neither a group of three U, nor linear triplet UUU. • Many concepts involved in UUU’s degeneracy seriously violates Matthaei-Nirenberg poly-U experiment in 1961. • In mathematics, the parameters array of (1:1, 1:1, 1:1, 1:1, 1:3, 1:3, 1:3, 1:3, 1:3, 1:3, 1:3, 1:3, 1:3, 1:3, 1:3, 1:3, 1:6, 1:6, 1:6, 1:6) is not only the “degeneracy value” of each triplet, but also the “expansion value” of each amino acid, therefore, each amino acid can be chosen to correspond any value of triplets in Gamow - Crick “coding” proposals. • Wobble Hypothesis only changes anticodon and doesn’t change the species of amino acids on tRNA. • In chemistry, Poly-(U,C) producing poly-phe in non-Nirenberg experiments serious violates Poly-U producing poly-phe in Matthaie-Nirenberg experiments. • No biochemists find the model protein in which the phenylalanine has only 2 shares, nor the total proportion among different amino acids are as “(1:1:2 :2,:2 :2:2 :2 :2 :2:2 :3:4 :4:4:4:4:6:6:6) “, and in which the model nucleic acid has 64 triplet (each triplet codon displays once in the model nucleic acids). In the end, we suggest to cancel the concept of UUU’s degeneracy, i.e.: “UUU degenerate to UUC” cannot be established in biochemical sciences.

Impact resistance study of lime slag–stabilised steel slag mixes

ABSTRACT Given the transient nature of impact loading, exploring the microscopic damage characteristics and damage mechanisms of materials through indoor tests is difficult. In this study, the damage morphology and energy dissipation characteristics of lime slag–stabilised steel slag (LSSS) mixes under vertical impact loading is explored using ABAQUS software, a finite element model of LSSS for falling hammer impact test is established, the validity of finite element calculation is verified by comparing the results of indoor tests, and the strain characteristics, deflection changes, and energy transformation process of LSSS under vertical impact loading are analysed. Results show that the LSSS tensile and compressive strains under impact loading are roughly divided into low strain rate, precracking, and cracking phases with a rapid increase in strain. Under the same impact energy conditions, the LSSS bottom tensile strain, span deflection, drop hammer kinetic energy conversion time, and LSSS plastic energy consumption curve rising slope are sensitive to drop hammer mass. Thus, improvement in drop hammer mass will prolong the impact loading of the drop hammer–LSSS system internal energy conversion time, and the LSSS strain peak range to the central concentration, enhancing span deflection and bottom deformation.

Industrial Metaverse as a New Component of Digital Transformation: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract— The digital transformation process in businesses operates within the data and knowledge cycle. This cycle ensures that all functions and units of an business collaborate effectively to achieve maximum efficiency from technological advancements. Recently, industrial metaverse technology has emerged as a new catalyst in the digital transformation process. This technology integrates with various other technologies to generate a virtual work environment akin to the physical workspace. The objective of this study is to identify the technologies and processes that industrial metaverse technology collaborates with and to provide a vision for researchers and businesses interested in this field. To achieve this objective, a bibliometric analysis was conducted on studies indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases using the keyword "industrial metaverse." The analysis included a total of 60 studies: 44 from the Scopus database and 16 from the WoS database. A comprehensive examination of these 60 studies was performed, with data compiled manually and analyzed using the Vosviewer application. The study concluded that industrial metaverse technology is associated with processes such as smart production, employee-technology collaboration, ensuring the functionality of the data and knowledge cycle infrastructure, employee training, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, technologies such as digital twins, blockchain, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), and artificial intelligence (AI) form the infrastructure of industrial metaverse technology. Keywords— Digital transformation, Industrial metaverse, knowledge management, technology and innovation management, Industry 5.0

THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE DIGITAL ENTERPRISES IN THE ERA OF TRANSFORMATIONAL ECONOMIC CHANGES

The objective of this article is to examine the role of digital transformation processes in enhancing competitive advantages and accelerating economic growth. The objective is to demonstrate how the utilisation of digital technologies and the fulfilment of external environment requirements facilitate the innovation of products and services. The methodology entails an examination of the concept of digital transformation within the context of Ukraine's economy. This encompasses an investigation of the integration of production and distribution factors, an evaluation of the potential of digital enterprises, and the formulation of a model for the transformation of enterprises into innovative business entities. The findings indicate that digital transformation is a crucial factor in attaining competitive advantages and stimulating economic growth. The study identifies digital enterprises, equipped with end-to-end digital technologies and services, as a crucial factor in the implementation of effective digital changes. Furthermore, it offers a model for the transformation of traditional businesses into digital enterprises. The practical implications of this study are that businesses must address the barriers to digital change in order to achieve qualitative transformations. The findings indicate that the systematic overcoming of these barriers can facilitate successful digital transformations, which can enhance business performance and innovation. The article's value lies in its contribution to the understanding of how digital transformation can be integrated into business operations in a systematic manner, with a view to fostering innovation and growth. The study's originality lies in its proposal of a model for enterprise transformation and its identification of key barriers and strategies for effective digital change, tailored specifically to the Ukrainian economic context.

Prerequisites of hybridization of university financing as a tool for ensuring sustainability and strategic development

Purpose. To assess the state of budget financing of Ukrainian HEIs, determine their funding structure, and identify prerequisites for developing hybrid financing as a tool for stability and strategic development. Methodology. Dynamic and structural analysis, the Hirschman-Herfindahl index (HHI(DI) and such methods as quantitative, arithmetic mean, limit values, graphic, visualization, and system methods were used in the research process. The practical testing of research hypotheses was carried out on the basis of a comprehensive approach to the financing of HEIs of Ukraine and a panel sample of 35 universities, which takes into account rating indicators, industry and regional aspects. Findings. Transformation processes at various levels are linked to trends such as reduced budget funding, structural changes, staff and student migration, decreased demand for additional services, and military factors, creating prerequisites for hybrid university funding. The article identifies conditions for hybrid financing, highlights negative trends in HEIs budget financing –including systemic underperformance and inflation impacts – and analyzes income diversification in Ukrainian universities using the HHI(DI). Limiting and average values were determined using the quantitative method, which made it possible to classify universities into sustainable (HHI(DI)  0.55) and risky (HHI(DI) > 0.55) ones; tendencies towards a slight diversification of universities’ incomes are revealed; a conceptual model is proposed of hybrid financing of universities to expand their financial autonomy, based on cooperation between university management, stakeholders, and staff core, with the aim of creating value propositions which satisfy the needs of stakeholders and generate cash flows; a new approach to the division of hybrid financing tools into three groups is proposed: passive or image-based, active-intellectual, and passive-innovative ones. This approach is innovative in the development of financial strategies for universities. Originality. New tools for making management decisions aimed at ensuring financial stability and developing financial strategies for universities are proposed. In particular, they include an original approach to the classification of universities into sustainable and risky ones based on the value of the HHI; the conceptual model of hybrid financing of universities, which promotes the expansion of their financial autonomy; the innovative approach to the division of hybrid financing instruments into three categories: passive or image-based, active-intellectual, passive-innovative. Practical value. The study’s results can be used to make management decisions on expanding financial autonomy of universities. The introduction of the conceptual model of hybrid financing will contribute to the diversification of income, increase in financing, as well as ensuring financial stability and strategic development of universities.

Research on the Issues and Strategies of Constructing Intelligent Classrooms in Higher Education

Driven by the robust wave of informatization, emerging industries based on information technology continue to deepen their development, reshaping human society and leading a historic leap from traditional industrial society to information society, and further towards an intelligent society. In this transformative process, information technology serves as a key driving force, profoundly impacting the education sector, particularly accelerating the pace of educational reform and promoting continuous innovation and upgrading of educational models. This paper focuses on higher education, deeply analyzing the construction pathways and practical values of intelligent classroom teaching models. Specifically, we explore strategies for deeply integrating Internet technology with traditional classroom teaching, aiming to create a highly intelligent, personalized, and interactive teaching environment in higher education—intelligent classrooms.

Risk and path analysis of global industrial transformation in the context of climate change

Global industrial transformation is accelerating, and climate risks and natural disasters brought by climate change may have an impact on global industrial transformation. Therefore, how to promote global industrial reform in the context of climate change is an important issue that needs to be urgently solved by various countries at this stage. Starting from the background of climate change, this paper deeply discusses the impact of climate change on global industrial transformation and analyzes the possible risks and challenges. The results show that the impact of climate change on global industrial transformation may be a double-edged sword. Global industrial development may make new progress under the influence of climate change, but climate change may affect the process of industrial transformation, bring some pressure to industrial development, and reduce the economic benefits of industrial development. Therefore, it is necessary to scientifically understand the impact of climate change, take effective measures to mitigate climate risks and promote high-quality industrial development. Due to the differences in the economic levels of different countries, it is necessary to formulate corresponding development measures according to their conditions in the process of coping with climate change. The conclusions of this paper provide implications for coping with climate change and global industrial transformation.

Few-Shot Face Sketch-to-Photo Synthesis via Global-Local Asymmetric Image-to-Image Translation

Face sketch-to-photo synthesis is widely used in law enforcement and digital entertainment, which can be achieved by Image-to-Image (I2I) translation. Traditional I2I translation algorithms usually regard the bidirectional translation of two image domains as two symmetric processes, so the two translation networks adopt the same structure. However, due to the scarcity of face sketches and the abundance of face photos, the sketch-to-photo and photo-to-sketch processes are asymmetric. Considering this issue, we propose a few-shot face sketch-to-photo synthesis model based on asymmetric I2I translation, where the sketch-to-photo process uses a feature-embedded generating network, while the photo-to-sketch process uses a style transfer network. On this basis, a three-stage asymmetric training strategy with style transfer as the trigger is proposed to optimize the proposed model by utilizing the advantage that the style transfer network only needs few-shot face sketches for training. Additionally, we discover that stylistic differences between the global and local sketch faces lead to inconsistencies between the global and local sketch-to-photo processes. Thus, a dual branch of the global face and local face is adopted in the sketch-to-photo synthesis model to learn the specific transformation processes for global structure and local details. Finally, the high-quality synthetic face photo can be generated through the global-local face fusion sub-network. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed Global-Local Asymmetric (GLAS) I2I translation algorithm compared to SOTA methods, at least improves FSIM by 0.0126, and reduces LPIPS (alex), LPIPS (squeeze), and LPIPS (vgg) by 0.0610, 0.0883, and 0.0719, respectively.

Confiscated assets into public heritage

The research, as result of an agreement with the Calabria Region, aims to consolidate a corpus of investigations developed over the years by the Landscape_inProgress Laboratory, which examines the forms produced by criminal actions in urban transformation processes by studying property confiscated from the mafias. The investigation proposes a different approach to provide the opportunity to develop strategies for urban and architectural regeneration of cities, bringing out a “third public heritage” to be “re-injected” into urban and territorial policies. A matter to be “rewritten” for new life cycles. The “Impronte a Sud_WelfareLab” project, implemented in Reggio Calabria for Consorzio Macramè on a confiscated asset, is a best practice that combines management, functional, and urban processes with an aesthetic and architectural metamorphosis.

Chhukri Dance of Bangladesh:

Despite all distinctions, performances by males in female roles, widely known as Chhukri, are a common phenomenon in folk theatrical performances in Bangladesh. Male performers in this unique setting appear on stage as transvestite females with dexterity and believability in their costumes, make-up, gestures, and behavior. In this theatrical presentation, the male performer’s external change is clear and visible. What is the internal process of transformation? To what extent is social, traditional, or mythical performance knowledge practiced in the process of internal transformation? This ethnographic study aims to examine the process of transforming a male into a female role in traditional Chhukri Dance in Bangladesh. The traditional or mythological references of Shakti (energy) and Bhaba (emotion) have been selected as the key tools in analyzing the process of transformation. It also analyses how feminine gender is defined traditionally and performed socially within the practitioner communities, and how they are embodied aesthetically in the performer’s dance body. To examine hereditary performance knowledge and practices linked to Chhukri Dance in particular, this study describes two theatrical groups that give traditional performances. It explores thechhukri community and the training process, performance techniques and structure, and the codes and characteristics of the two Chhukri theatrical groups.

Empowering Educators: Integrating Sustainable Health in Healthcare Professionals’ Training

Abstract Despite efforts to realize Agenda 2030, the sustainable development goals (SDGs) may not be achieved. This already now impacts public health and healthcare, including the training of providers. “Sustainable health” addresses this urgency by emphasizing health as key to achieving the SDGs. While the UN developed a competency framework for teachers in 2011, the specific competencies needed to train in sustainable health remain unclear. Transformative learning (TL) is crucial to integrating sustainable development in higher education (HE), yet its application in the education of health professionals is limited. TL entails a profound transformative journey that reshapes perceptions and experiences, necessitating a shift in the educator’s role from information provider to facilitator of transformative processes. According to a 2019 literature review on TL for healthcare students, teachers need detailed and practical guidelines on how to implement TL. We aimed to develop an evidence-based matrix outlining a) the educational strategies needed to ensure that students develop sustainable health competencies, and b) the competencies teachers need to use these strategies in a quality-assured way. We conducted a literature review to identify key dimensions of teacher competencies and educational strategies for sustainable health. We surveyed teachers at Karolinska Institutet to assess the relevance of these competencies and teachers’ confidence in using them. Focus group discussions were conducted, to explore barriers and enablers to develop competencies and use educational strategies. We present a competency framework for HE teachers, accompanied by recommended educational strategies and self-assessment tools to gauge further training needs. To be used by teachers and educational developers, it will be openly accessible in Swedish and English. This study contributes to enhancing competencies in training health professionals to contribute to achieving sustainable health for all. Key messages • Educators need to be equipped with competencies to lead transformative learning processes to enable future generations of health professionals to achieve sustainable health for all. • Educators need to be supported to transform their role and practice to provide relevant training for future health care providers.

The Use of the Data Envelopment Analysis–Malmquist Approach to Measure the Performance of Digital Transformation in EU Countries

Currently, the process of the digital transformation of EU countries is very important and often discussed. It will not only bring new opportunities for companies and the broader population but will also enable the transition to a more ecological economy. An important goal is to speed up the digitalization processes taking place in companies. It is very important to use already established digitalization elements more efficiently. This also resulted in the motivation for the given research. The aim of this paper is to quantify the change in the efficiency of the digital transformation of EU countries. As part of this research, the Variable Returns to Scale Data Envelopment Analysis (VRS DEA) model and the Malmquist index (MI) based on the DEA approach were applied. The results of the model made it possible to assess how the changes in technical efficiency and technological changes contributed to the changes in efficiency. The long-term theoretical added value of this paper lies in its proposal for countries and their governments to monitor not only the number of introduced digital elements, but also the efficiency of their use relative to some aggregate output; for example, GDP (Gross Domestic Product) or unemployment rate. The added value of this research is that less developed countries use digitalization elements more effectively than developed countries.