Innovation Management and Digitalization of Business Models

A special issue of Systems (ISSN 2079-8954). This special issue belongs to the section "Systems Practice in Social Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 4722

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. INESC TEC—Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
2. ESTG-P.PORTO, Department of Business Sciences, Rua do Curral, 4610-156 Margaride, Portugal
3. School of Management and Technology of Porto Polytechnic, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: business models; strategy; entrepreneurship and innovation; project management; sustainability; digitalization

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Guest Editor
Business School, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
Interests: firms’ internationalization, sustainability, and digitalization; application of AI and its embedded institutional environment
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Innovation and digitalization are not merely buzzwords; both are a necessity for companies that aspire to thrive in today's dynamic market. Innovation management’s primary objective is to cultivate a culture where new ideas are consistently generated, developed, and effectively implemented to create value.

The advent of Industry 4.0 and the lockdowns during the pandemic period compelled companies to innovate technologically, particularly in terms of digitalization. The integration of digital technologies into all business areas has fundamentally transformed operations and value delivery to customers, driving the digitalization of business models across numerous aspects.

This transformation involves a broad spectrum of technological innovations such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and blockchain. Each of these technologies contributes significantly to reshaping the business landscape. The digital revolution has given rise to new business models that emphasize agility, scalability, circularity, and customer centricity. This shift has introduced new paradigms for innovation management. Organizations are increasingly adopting agile methodologies to accelerate the innovation cycle and respond more effectively to market demands. Companies that successfully integrate and manage digital innovation into their business models are better positioned to gain a competitive edge, adapt to disruptive changes, and create sustainable value in today's fast-paced market.

This Special Issue aims to provide valuable insights for both practitioners and researchers, fostering a comprehensive discussion on the future of innovation management and the digitalization of business models.

Dr. Nelson Duarte
Dr. Rebecca Dong
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • business models
  • innovation
  • digital technologies
  • entrepreneurial innovation
  • strategic innovation
  • digital transformation
  • circular business models

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 576 KiB  
Article
Driving Green Transformation in Equipment Manufacturing Enterprises: The Role of Digital Technologies
by Weiyang Xu, Jianzhong Xu and Wei Zhang
Systems 2025, 13(5), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13050332 - 1 May 2025
Abstract
As digital technologies are increasingly applied in the equipment manufacturing industry, they play an increasingly important role in the green transformation of business development models. Digital technologies have gradually become a key driving force behind the green transformation and development of equipment manufacturing [...] Read more.
As digital technologies are increasingly applied in the equipment manufacturing industry, they play an increasingly important role in the green transformation of business development models. Digital technologies have gradually become a key driving force behind the green transformation and development of equipment manufacturing enterprises. Using empirical data from 2013 to 2022 on publicly listed equipment manufacturing companies in China’s A-share market, this study explores the mechanisms through which digital technologies influence the green transformation of these enterprises. The empirical results show that the application of digital technologies in equipment manufacturing enterprises effectively promotes their green transformation. Mechanism tests reveal that digital technologies contribute to green transformation through channels such as fostering green innovation and optimizing the market environment. The findings provide empirical support for the green transformation of equipment manufacturing enterprises. These companies should further enhance their application of digital technologies, while the government should actively introduce relevant supportive policies to create a favorable market environment, strengthen digital infrastructure, and provide extensive support for the application of digital technologies, thereby promoting the coordinated advancement of digital and green transformations in enterprises. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation Management and Digitalization of Business Models)
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24 pages, 559 KiB  
Article
Understanding User Acceptance of AI-Driven Chatbots in China’s E-Commerce: The Roles of Perceived Authenticity, Usefulness, and Risk
by Rob Kim Marjerison, Hang Dong, Jong-Min Kim, Hanyi Zheng, Youran Zhang and George Kuan
Systems 2025, 13(2), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13020071 - 21 Jan 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3023
Abstract
This study examines users’ perceptions of Chatbots in China, with a particular focus on the factors influencing their acceptance and usage. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), we analyze data from 542 online responses to explore the roles of Perceived Authenticity, usefulness, [...] Read more.
This study examines users’ perceptions of Chatbots in China, with a particular focus on the factors influencing their acceptance and usage. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), we analyze data from 542 online responses to explore the roles of Perceived Authenticity, usefulness, and risk in shaping user behavior toward AI-driven Chatbots. Using linear regression and mediation analyses, our findings indicate that both Perceived Authenticity and Perceived Usefulness positively impact users’ behavioral intentions, while Perceived Risk has a negative influence. Notably, Perceived Usefulness serves as a mediator between behavioral intentions and both Perceived Authenticity and Perceived Risk. These results contribute to the growing body of research on AI and e-commerce by providing empirical evidence of the key factors affecting Chatbot adoption. The study offers valuable implications for developers and marketers, suggesting that enhancing Perceived Authenticity and usefulness while addressing Perceived Risks can improve user acceptance. These insights are particularly pertinent for AI practitioners aiming to refine Chatbot technology and expand its application across various sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation Management and Digitalization of Business Models)
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25 pages, 2103 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Impact of Watershed Compensation Policies on Green Technology Innovation Ecosystems
by Mo Li, Jianhua Zhu and Hua Dong
Systems 2025, 13(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13010044 - 10 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 629
Abstract
This study uses the implementation of the watershed compensation policy as a quasi-natural experiment and selects a sample of 53 cities located within the four major watersheds from 2005 to 2022. By employing a staggered difference-in-differences model and a synthetic control difference-in-differences model, [...] Read more.
This study uses the implementation of the watershed compensation policy as a quasi-natural experiment and selects a sample of 53 cities located within the four major watersheds from 2005 to 2022. By employing a staggered difference-in-differences model and a synthetic control difference-in-differences model, the study investigates how watershed compensation policies influence green technology innovation ecosystems and delves into the underlying mechanisms that are responsible for these impacts. The research reveals the following findings: (1) The introduction of the watershed compensation policy markedly boosts the development of green technology innovation ecosystems in the pilot cities, and this finding remains consistent following a series of robustness checks. (2) An analysis of the mechanisms indicates that the watershed compensation policy exerts its impact on the advancement of green technology innovation ecosystems through a reduction in carbon emission intensity and the enhancement of wastewater treatment efficiency. (3) The influence of the watershed compensation policy on green technology innovation ecosystems varies according to the level of public financial expenditure and labor productivity. This research offers a factual foundation for comprehending the effects of watershed compensation policies on the innovation of green technologies within China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovation Management and Digitalization of Business Models)
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