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Where Is the Age of Digitalization Heading? The Meaning, Characteristics, and Implications of Contemporary Digital Transformation

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  • Seunghyun Kim

    (Science and Technology Policy Institute, Sejong 30147, Korea)

  • Byungchul Choi

    (HUFS Business School, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul 02450, Korea)

  • Yong Kyu Lew

    (HUFS Business School, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul 02450, Korea)

Abstract

Digital transformation is perceived not only as a change in certain technology but also as a large transition that will ultimately change our lives for the better. Industry convergence, the key to digital transformation, entails, for firms, both various opportunities for innovation and the crisis of falling behind. Therefore, from the perspective of firms, it is critical to examine how digital transformation affects their industries and products as well as how they perceive and respond to digital transformation. This is ultimately a matter of how firms survive and maintain sustainable growth in this great upheaval of digital transformation. Based on the understanding of the concept of digital transformation, this study explores how high-growth firms perceive various aspects of digital transformation. The findings show that digital transformation involves a change of firms based on constant innovation, not simply the acceptance of technology, and that there is a large digital divide that depends on the firm size and industry type. Based on the above, this study derives implications in terms of the innovation activities of firms to ensure that digital transformation does not serve as a handicap and barrier for firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Seunghyun Kim & Byungchul Choi & Yong Kyu Lew, 2021. "Where Is the Age of Digitalization Heading? The Meaning, Characteristics, and Implications of Contemporary Digital Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-20, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:8909-:d:611157
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pedro R. Palos-Sánchez & Pedro Baena-Luna & Mercedes García-Ordaz & Francisco J. Martínez-López, 2023. "Digital Transformation and Local Government Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Assessment of Its Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, April.
    2. Temitayo Shenkoya & Euiseok Kim, 2023. "Sustainability in Higher Education: Digital Transformation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Its Impact on Open Knowledge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Sara Pourmorshed & Susanne Durst, 2022. "The Usefulness of the Digitalization Integration Framework for Developing Digital Supply Chains in SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, November.
    4. Cheng, Yiran & Zhou, Xiaorui & Li, Yongjian, 2023. "The effect of digital transformation on real economy enterprises’ total factor productivity," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 488-501.

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