IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/sagope/v11y2021i3p21582440211047576.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Digital Transformation: An Overview of the Current State of the Art of Research

Author

Listed:
  • Sascha Kraus
  • Paul Jones
  • Norbert Kailer
  • Alexandra Weinmann
  • Nuria Chaparro-Banegas
  • Norat Roig-Tierno

Abstract

The increasing digitalization of economies has highlighted the importance of digital transformation and how it can help businesses stay competitive in the market. However, disruptive changes not only occur at the company level; they also have environmental, societal, and institutional implications. This is the reason why during the past two decades the research on digital transformation has received growing attention, with a wide range of topics investigated in the literature. The following aims to provide insight regarding the current state of the literature on digital transformation (DT) by conducting a systematic literature review. An analysis of co-occurrence using the software VOSviewer was conducted to graphically visualize the literature’s node network. Approached this way, the systematic literature review displays major research avenues of digital transformation that consider technology as the main driver of these changes. This paper qualitatively classifies the literature on digital business transformation into three different clusters based on technological, business, and societal impacts. Several research gaps identified in the literature on DT are proposed as futures lines of research which could provide useful insights to the government and private sectors in order to adapt to the disruptive changes found in business as a result of this phenomenon, as well as to reduce its negative impacts on society and the environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Sascha Kraus & Paul Jones & Norbert Kailer & Alexandra Weinmann & Nuria Chaparro-Banegas & Norat Roig-Tierno, 2021. "Digital Transformation: An Overview of the Current State of the Art of Research," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:11:y:2021:i:3:p:21582440211047576
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440211047576
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440211047576
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/21582440211047576?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jeong, Dae-hyun & Cho, Keuntae & Park, Sangyong & Hong, Soon-ki, 2016. "Effects of knowledge diffusion on international joint research and science convergence: Multiple case studies in the fields of lithium-ion battery, fuel cell and wind power," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 15-27.
    2. Hess, Thomas & Matt, Christian & Benlian, Alexander & Wiesböck, Florian, 2016. "Options for Formulating a Digital Transformation Strategy," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 81032, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    3. M.J. Cobo & A.G. López-Herrera & E. Herrera-Viedma & F. Herrera, 2011. "Science mapping software tools: Review, analysis, and cooperative study among tools," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 62(7), pages 1382-1402, July.
    4. Petter Gottschalk, 2006. "Research propositions for knowledge management systems supporting electronic business," International Journal of Innovation and Learning, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 3(6), pages 593-606.
    5. Castillo-Vergara, Mauricio & Alvarez-Marin, Alejandro & Placencio-Hidalgo, Dario, 2018. "A bibliometric analysis of creativity in the field of business economics," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 1-9.
    6. Ricarda B. Bouncken & Sascha Kraus & Norat Roig-Tierno, 2021. "Knowledge- and innovation-based business models for future growth: digitalized business models and portfolio considerations," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, January.
    7. Kathan, Wolfgang & Matzler, Kurt & Veider, Viktoria, 2016. "The sharing economy: Your business model's friend or foe?," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 59(6), pages 663-672.
    8. Hess, Thomas & Matt, Christian & Benlian, Alexander & Wiesböck, Florian, 2016. "Options for Formulating a Digital Transformation Strategy," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 82423, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    9. Matt, C. & Hess, Thomas & Benlian, Alexander, 2015. "Digital Transformation Strategies," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 75002, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    10. Xue Bai & Ram Gopal & Manuel Nunez & Dmitry Zhdanov, 2012. "On the Prevention of Fraud and Privacy Exposure in Process Information Flow," INFORMS Journal on Computing, INFORMS, vol. 24(3), pages 416-432, August.
    11. Alicia Mas-Tur & Sascha Kraus & Mario Brandtner & Ralf Ewert & Wolfgang Kürsten, 2020. "Advances in management research: a bibliometric overview of the Review of Managerial Science," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 14(5), pages 933-958, October.
    12. Christian Matt & Thomas Hess & Alexander Benlian, 2015. "Digital Transformation Strategies," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 57(5), pages 339-343, October.
    13. Sascha Kraus & Matthias Breier & Sonia Dasí-Rodríguez, 2020. "The art of crafting a systematic literature review in entrepreneurship research," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 1023-1042, September.
    14. Arntz, Melanie & Gregory, Terry & Zierahn, Ulrich, 2017. "Revisiting the risk of automation," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 157-160.
    15. Sergei Naumovich Bruskin & Aleksandra Nikolaevna Brezhneva & Ludmila Pavlovna Dyakonova & Olga Viktorovna Kitova & Victoria Mikhailovna Savinova & Tamara Petrovna Danko & Vladimir Dmitrievich Sekerin, 2017. "Business Performance Management Models Based on the Digital Corporation’s Paradigm," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(4A), pages 264-274.
    16. Gerth, Anthony B. & Peppard, Joe, 2016. "The dynamics of CIO derailment: How CIOs come undone and how to avoid it," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 59(1), pages 61-70.
    17. Matt, C. & Hess, Thomas & Benlian, Alexander, 2015. "Digital Transformation Strategies," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 75202, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    18. Donthu, Naveen & Kumar, Satish & Pattnaik, Debidutta, 2020. "Forty-five years of Journal of Business Research: A bibliometric analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 1-14.
    19. Yoshimasa Masuda & Seiko Shirasaka & Shuichiro Yamamoto & Thomas Hardjono, 2018. "Architecture Board Practices in Adaptive Enterprise Architecture with Digital Platform: A Case of Global Healthcare Enterprise," International Journal of Enterprise Information Systems (IJEIS), IGI Global, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Swen Nadkarni & Reinhard Prügl, 2021. "Digital transformation: a review, synthesis and opportunities for future research," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(2), pages 233-341, April.
    2. Xiurui Xu & Guangming Hou & Junpeng Wang, 2022. "Research on Digital Transformation Based on Complex Systems: Visualization of Knowledge Maps and Construction of a Theoretical Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-19, February.
    3. Ander, Veronika & Cihelka, Petr & Tyrychtr, Jan & Novák, David, 2022. "Towards Compromise User Experience Design in Ambient Intelligent Environment," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(2), June.
    4. Coskun-Setirek, Abide & Tanrikulu, Zuhal, 2021. "Digital innovations-driven business model regeneration: A process model," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    5. Piepponen, Amanda & Ritala, Paavo & Keränen, Joona & Maijanen, Päivi, 2022. "Digital transformation of the value proposition: A single case study in the media industry," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 311-325.
    6. Burström, Thommie & Parida, Vinit & Lahti, Tom & Wincent, Joakim, 2021. "AI-enabled business-model innovation and transformation in industrial ecosystems: A framework, model and outline for further research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 85-95.
    7. Florian Wiesböck & Thomas Hess, 2020. "Digital innovations," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(1), pages 75-86, March.
    8. Jinkai Liang & Ke Du & Dandan Chen, 2023. "The Effect of Digitalization on Ambidextrous Innovation in Manufacturing Enterprises: A Perspective of Empowering and Enabling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-23, August.
    9. Teubner, Alexander & Stockhinger, Jan, 2020. "IT/IS strategy research and digitalization: An extensive literature review," ERCIS Working Papers 34, University of Münster, European Research Center for Information Systems (ERCIS).
    10. Li, Min & Liu, Na & Kou, Aiju & Chen, Wenchuan, 2023. "Customer concentration and digital transformation," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    11. Florian Diener & Miroslav Špaček, 2021. "Digital Transformation in Banking: A Managerial Perspective on Barriers to Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-27, February.
    12. Sodamin, Dino & Vaněk, Jiří & Ulman, Miloš & Šimek, Pavel, 2022. "Fair Label versus Blockchain Technology from the Consumer Perspective: Towards a Comprehensive Research Agenda," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(2), June.
    13. Maniriho, Aristide & Musabanganji, Edouard & Mulumeoderhwa, Fidèle & Manirakiza, Dismas & Lebailly, Philippe, 2022. "Preferences of Small-Scale Farmers for Innovative Farming Techniques in Volcanic Highlands in Rwanda," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(2), June.
    14. G. Denisse Chamochumbi D. & Massimo Ciambotti & Federica Palazzi & Francesca Sgr?, 2022. "The digital transformation process in the agri-food sector: A case study," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(2 Suppl.), pages 43-70.
    15. Abdul Karim Feroz & Hangjung Zo & Ananth Chiravuri, 2021. "Digital Transformation and Environmental Sustainability: A Review and Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, February.
    16. Changling Sun & Ziang Lin & Marek Vochozka & Zuzana Vincúrová, 2022. "Digital transformation and corporate cash holdings in China’s A-share listed companies," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 13(4), pages 1081-1116, December.
    17. Saarikko, Ted & Westergren, Ulrika H. & Blomquist, Tomas, 2020. "Digital transformation: Five recommendations for the digitally conscious firm," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 63(6), pages 825-839.
    18. Monica Molino & Claudio G. Cortese & Chiara Ghislieri, 2021. "Technology Acceptance and Leadership 4.0: A Quali-Quantitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-18, October.
    19. Shaibu, Abdul-Fatawu & Shaibu, Mohammed Hardi, 2022. "Agricultural Aid and Growth in Sub Saharan Africa: a Review of Empirical Evidence," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(2), June.
    20. Fertő, Imre & Bojnec, Štefan & Podruzsik, Szilárd, 2022. "Do Subsidies Decrease the Farm Income Inequality in Hungary?," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(2), June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:11:y:2021:i:3:p:21582440211047576. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.