Call for papers: The role of digital innovation and transformation process (DITP) in business growth: Technological, social, and organizational challenges and solutions

Guest editors:

Dr. Abbas Mardani, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, United States

Special issue information:

The new technological revolution has accelerated the digitalization of human society and brought about extensive and profound changes to the world economy (Van Veldhoven & Vanthienen, 2022; Xu et al., 2022). Integrating digital technologies into production processes and service models allows factor resources to be allocated more efficiently, providing more opportunities and possibilities for industrial structure transformation and innovation (Li et al., 2022). Under the circumstances, different countries and regions attach great importance to digital development and strive to build a globally competitive digital economy (Liu et al., 2022). Due to its versatility, digitization involves a wide range of fields, such as banking, retail, urban, energy, transportation, education, publishing, media, and health (Bhutani & Paliwal, 2015; Buck et al., 2023; Cai et al., 2021; Li et al., 2023; Liu et al., 2023; Ye et al., 2021), and even have an impact on the government administrative system (Hudson, 2002). Enterprise digitization refers to the process of penetration and application of digital technology in all aspects of enterprise production and operation. Specifically, the digital technologies generally involved in enterprises generally include artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, cloud computing, big data, and digital technology applications. Digital technology promotes the creation of many new industries and gradually changes the production process of other traditional industries through technological diffusion. Whether leading or responding, companies have inevitably been caught up in this wave of technology and may have changed their own hiring practices.

Digital transformation is unified under the strategic framework of achieving high-quality development and sustainable development (Andersen et al., 2021; Chatzistamoulou, 2023; Sareen & Haarstad, 2021; Trevisan et al., 2023). Digital transformation is the process of using digital intelligence technology to deepen the operation management and business change of enterprises, promoting the digitization of the whole process of R&D, production, and sales service, and finally realizing the process of digital technology deeply empowering the innovation chain, supply chain, value chain and all-round management of enterprises (Buck et al., 2023; Feliciano-Cestero et al., 2023; Liu et al., 2023; Malodia et al., 2023; Montero Guerra et al., 2023; Zhuo & Chen, 2023). Digital transformation is a technological reform that runs through the internal and external development environment of enterprises, involving the internal digital transformation of enterprises as well as the transformation of their external living environment (Davison et al., 2023; Irani et al., 2023; Zhang et al., 2023; Zoppelletto et al., 2023). Combining digital technologies such as the Internet and cloud computing with government social governance has created a new government governance model and formed the digital economic development environment enterprises face (Chandra et al., 2022; Sahut et al., 2022).

Technology innovation can potentially be strategically responsible for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of solving climate change problems (Cen et al., 2023; Costantini et al., 2023; Gong & Hansen, 2023; Hu et al., 2023; Jegatheesan et al., 2022; Tong & Wan, 2023; Ullah et al., 2021; Wemyss et al., 2023; Zhou et al., 2022). Digital transformation can not only enhance the technological innovation capability of enterprises (Buck et al., 2023; Li et al., 2023; Liu et al., 2023; Wang et al., 2023) but also reshape the innovation model of enterprises. Past studies mainly reflect the following three aspects: first, digital transformation brings the distance between enterprises and customers closer, improves the market perception ability of enterprises, drives enterprises to continuously conduct R&D innovation based on user feedback, and enhances the effectiveness of development expenditures and the transformation efficiency of research results (Xiao et al., 2022); second, as technologies such as big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things are used in product manufacturing, R&D design, enterprise management and customer relationship maintenance, digital transformation has been able to realize the exchange and sharing of data and knowledge among enterprises by changing their organizational forms (Du & Zhang, 2022; Zhang et al., 2022), forming a networked innovation ecology; third, digital transformation helps enterprises obtain the Metcalfe effect, reducing their marginal innovation costs and improve firms’ innovation returns (Loebbecke & Picot, 2015). In summary, the digital innovation and transformation process (DITP) can enhance business growth, which in turn opens up new development space for business, improves the added value of products and market competitiveness, creates greater returns for shareholders, enhances the active innovation responsibility of shareholders, and boosts the entrepreneurial spirit.

However, currently, companies lack awareness of the value of digital innovation and transformation. Moreover, the supporting role of digital innovation and transformation is not exerted. Therefore, given its importance, scholars and practitioners need to understand digital innovation and transformation deeply; this special issue would like to answer the following questions: (1) Does digital innovation and transformation significantly support the business’s growth? (2) Does digital innovation and transformation help to enhance competitive advantage? How do digital innovation and transformation affect business development? Finally, does digital innovation and transformation enhance the business’s performance?

We welcome researchers and scholars to submit their high-quality and original papers, including the review, case studies, empirical and theoretical works to our special issue based on the special issue objectives and below themes:

• Digital transformation and green technology innovation
• Digital transformation and environmental innovation
• Green growth, technology, and innovation
• Digital transformation and environmental innovation
• Digital innovation and digital business transformation
• Digital business model, digital transformation, and digital entrepreneurship
• Sustainable innovation of technology and business models
• Digital finance and green technological innovation
• Digital transformation and green enterprise innovation
• Environmental decentralization, digital finance, and green technology innovation
• Business transformation, sustainability, and eco‐innovations
• Innovation challenges of digital transformation
• Digital transformation and sustainable business model innovation

Manuscript submission information:

The Journal’s submission system will be open for submissions for the Special Issue ‘The role of digital innovation and transformation process (DITP) in business growth: Technological, social, and organizational challenges and solutions’. When submitting your manuscript please select the article type “VSI: DITP”. Please submit your manuscript here: Editorial Manager®


References:

Andersen, A. D., Frenken, K., Galaz, V., Kern, F., Klerkx, L., Mouthaan, M., Piscicelli, L., Schor, J. B., & Vaskelainen, T. (2021). On digitalization and sustainability transitions. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 41, 96-98. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2021.09.013

Bhutani, S., & Paliwal, Y. (2015). Digitalization: a step towards sustainable development. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, 8(12), 11-24.

Buck, C., Clarke, J., Torres de Oliveira, R., Desouza, K. C., & Maroufkhani, P. (2023). Digital transformation in asset-intensive organisations: The light and the dark side. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 8(2), 100335. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2023.100335

Cai, L., Xing, C., & Deng, Y. (2021). Research on digital urban architecture design based on cloud computing data center. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 22, 101543. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101543

Cen, J., Fu, F., Yang, Y., Yan, J., & Li, J. (2023). Distant or Local? The Roles of Knowledge Search on General Purpose Technology Innovation in Emerging Industries. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 8(2), 100331. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2023.100331

Chandra, M., Kumar, K., Thakur, P., Chattopadhyaya, S., Alam, F., & Kumar, S. (2022). Digital technologies, healthcare and Covid-19: insights from developing and emerging nations. Health and Technology, 12(2), 547-568. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12553-022-00650-1

Chatzistamoulou, N. (2023). Is digital transformation the Deus ex Machina towards sustainability transition of the European SMEs? Ecological Economics, 206, 107739. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2023.107739

Costantini, V., Delgado, F. J., & Presno, M. J. (2023). Environmental innovations in the EU: A club convergence analysis of the eco-innovation index and driving factors of the clusters. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 46, 100698. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2023.100698

Davison, R. M., Wong, L. H. M., & Peng, J. (2023). The art of digital transformation as crafted by a chief digital officer. International Journal of Information Management, 69, 102617. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.102617

Du, C., & Zhang, Q. (2022). Supply network position, digital transformation and innovation performance: Evidence from listed Chinese manufacturing firms. PloS one, 17(12), e0279133. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279133

Feliciano-Cestero, M. M., Ameen, N., Kotabe, M., Paul, J., & Signoret, M. (2023). Is digital transformation threatened? A systematic literature review of the factors influencing firms’ digital transformation and internationalization. Journal of Business Research, 157, 113546. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113546

Gong, H., & Hansen, T. (2023). The rise of China's new energy vehicle lithium-ion battery industry: The coevolution of battery technological innovation systems and policies. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 46, 100689. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2022.100689

Hu, J., Hu, M., & Zhang, H. (2023). Has the construction of ecological civilization promoted green technology innovation? Environmental Technology & Innovation, 29, 102960. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2022.102960

Hudson, J. (2002). Digitising the structures of government: the UK’s information age government agenda. Policy & Politics, 30(4), 515-531. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557302760590431

Irani, Z., Abril, R. M., Weerakkody, V., Omar, A., & Sivarajah, U. (2023). The impact of legacy systems on digital transformation in European public administration: Lesson learned from a multi case analysis. Government Information Quarterly, 40(1), 101784. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2022.101784

Jegatheesan, V., Shu, L., Fujiwara, T., & Baltrėnaitė-Gedienė, E. (2022). Applications of technology and innovation for a sustainable future. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 28, 102904. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2022.102904

Li, S., Gao, L., Han, C., Gupta, B., Alhalabi, W., & Almakdi, S. (2023). Exploring the effect of digital transformation on Firms’ innovation performance. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 8(1), 100317. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2023.100317

Li, X., Wang, X., & Xu, W. (2022). The information technology revolution and structural labor change: Evidence from China. Economic Modelling, 115, 105956. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2022.105956

Liu, M., Li, C., Wang, S., & Li, Q. (2023). Digital transformation, risk-taking, and innovation: Evidence from data on listed enterprises in China. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 8(1), 100332. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2023.100332

Liu, Y., Yang, Y., Li, H., & Zhong, K. (2022). Digital Economy Development, Industrial Structure Upgrading and Green Total Factor Productivity: Empirical Evidence from China’s Cities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(4), 2414. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/4/2414

Loebbecke, C., & Picot, A. (2015). Reflections on societal and business model transformation arising from digitization and big data analytics: A research agenda. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 24(3), 149-157. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsis.2015.08.002

Malodia, S., Mishra, M., Fait, M., Papa, A., & Dezi, L. (2023). To digit or to head? Designing digital transformation journey of SMEs among digital self-efficacy and professional leadership. Journal of Business Research, 157, 113547. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113547

Montero Guerra, J. M., Danvila-del-Valle, I., & Méndez Suárez, M. (2023). The impact of digital transformation on talent management. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 188, 122291. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122291

Sahut, J.-M., Schweizer, D., & Peris-Ortiz, M. (2022). Technological forecasting and social change introduction to the VSI technological innovations to ensure confidence in the digital world. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 179, 121680. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121680

Sareen, S., & Haarstad, H. (2021). Digitalization as a driver of transformative environmental innovation. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 41, 93-95. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2021.09.016

Tong, X., & Wan, X. (2023). National industrial investment fund and China's integrated circuit industry technology innovation. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 8(1), 100319. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2023.100319

Trevisan, L. V., Eustachio, J. H. P. P., Dias, B. G., Filho, W. L., & Pedrozo, E. Á. (2023). Digital transformation towards sustainability in higher education: state-of-the-art and future research insights. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02874-7

Ullah, F., Sepasgozar, S. M. E., Thaheem, M. J., & Al-Turjman, F. (2021). Barriers to the digitalisation and innovation of Australian Smart Real Estate: A managerial perspective on the technology non-adoption. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 22, 101527. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101527

Van Veldhoven, Z., & Vanthienen, J. (2022). Digital transformation as an interaction-driven perspective between business, society, and technology. Electronic Markets, 32(2), 629-644. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-021-00464-5

Wang, K., Li, B., Tian, T., Zakuan, N., & Rani, P. (2023). Evaluate the drivers for digital transformation in higher education institutions in the era of industry 4.0 based on decision-making method. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 8(3), 100364. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2023.100364

Wemyss, D., Cellina, F., Grieder, M., & Schlüter, F. (2023). Looking beyond the hype: Conditions affecting the promise of behaviour change apps as social innovations for low-carbon transitions. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 47, 100702. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2023.100702

Xiao, J., Han, L., & Zhang, H. (2022). Exploring Driving Factors of Digital Transformation among Local Governments: Foundations for Smart City Construction in China. Sustainability, 14(22).

Xu, Q., Zhong, M., & Li, X. (2022). How does digitalization affect energy? International evidence. Energy Economics, 107, 105879. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2022.105879

Ye, Y., Wang, Q., & Wang, J. (2021). Green city air monitoring and architectural digital art design based on IoT embedded system. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 23, 101717. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.101717

Zhang, T., Shi, Z.-Z., Shi, Y.-R., & Chen, N.-J. (2022). Enterprise digital transformation and production efficiency: mechanism analysis and empirical research. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 35(1), 2781-2792. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2021.1980731

Zhang, Z., Jin, J., Li, S., & Zhang, Y. (2023). Digital transformation of incumbent firms from the perspective of portfolios of innovation. Technology in Society, 72, 102149. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.102149

Zhou, M., Wei, P., & Deng, L. (2022). Research on the factorial effect of science and technology innovation (STI) policy mix using multifactor analysis of variance (ANOVA). Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 7(4), 100249. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2022.100249

Zhuo, C., & Chen, J. (2023). Can digital transformation overcome the enterprise innovation dilemma: Effect, mechanism and effective boundary. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 190, 122378. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122378

Zoppelletto, A., Orlandi, L. B., Zardini, A., Rossignoli, C., & Kraus, S. (2023). Organizational roles in the context of digital transformation: A micro-level perspective. Journal of Business Research, 157, 113563. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113563

Why publish in this Special Issue?

• Special Issue articles are published together on ScienceDirect, making it incredibly easy for other researchers to discover your work.
• Special content articles are downloaded on ScienceDirect twice as often within the first 24 months than articles published in regular issues.
• Special content articles attract 20% more citations in the first 24 months than articles published in regular issues.
• All articles in this special issue will be reviewed by no fewer than two independent experts to ensure the quality, originality and novelty of the work published.

Learn more about the benefits of publishing in a special issue.

Interested in becoming a guest editor? Discover the benefits of guest editing a special issue and the valuable contribution that you can make to your field.