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Sustainability and Digital Transformation in the Visegrad Group of Central European Countries

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  • Diána Esses

    (Department of Environmental Economics, Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Mária Szalmáné Csete

    (Department of Environmental Economics, Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Bálint Németh

    (Department of Electric Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, 1111 Budapest, Hungary)

Abstract

The evolution of the digital transformation presents new challenges and many new opportunities, and provides unique solutions to individual issues, both for sectors and regions. The challenges posed by the digital world have a significant impact on social and economic processes, as well as our environment. This paper aims to provide an indicator-based understanding of the main characteristics of digitalization promoting sustainable development in the member countries of the Visegrad Cooperation. The main goal of this research is to study the relationship between digitalization transformation and sustainability together. One of the basic indicators of the article is the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI). We examined interconnections between the dimensions of the DESI index and the indicators of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets together in the V4, presented the change, evaluated the selected countries based on these aspects, and set up their ranking. Competitiveness performance data shed light on the situation in Hungary within the V4 countries, pointing out the strengths and shortcomings. The results show the extent of digital performance in each country and the relationship between their digital performance and sustainability indicators.

Suggested Citation

  • Diána Esses & Mária Szalmáné Csete & Bálint Németh, 2021. "Sustainability and Digital Transformation in the Visegrad Group of Central European Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:5833-:d:560025
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