Sustainable Digital Transformation: Integrating Economic, Technological, and Societal Perspectives

Abstract submission deadline

30 December 2026

Manuscript submission deadline

30 March 2027

Viewed by

4692

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Digital transformation is now a major force for change, affecting modern economic systems, organizational structures, technological progress, and societal structures. At the same time, sustainability has become increasingly important across many areas, requiring integrated approaches that consider economic viability, technological innovation, social well-being, and long-term resilience. This topic aims to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary platform for research on sustainable digital transformation, exploring economic, technological, and societal perspectives.

This topic spans a wide range of economic fields, including economics, management, finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, and international business. It specifically examines how digital technologies affect decision-making, organizational effectiveness, financial systems, market behavior, and global economic relations. This topic also covers engineering and applied sciences, including electronics, systems science, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, digital agriculture, and related fields.

Recognizing that digital transformation extends beyond technical and economic aspects, this topic also invites research from the social sciences and humanities. Contributions from disciplines such as law, education, sports sciences, communication, linguistics, and cultural studies are encouraged to explore regulatory frameworks, ethical issues, human capital growth, changes in learning and skills, social inclusion, cultural shifts, and the societal impacts of digitalization.

Dr. Anca Antoaneta Vărzaru
Prof. Dr. Claudiu George Bocean
Dr. Catalin Aurelian Rosculete
Dr. Dalia Simion
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Administrative Sciences admsci	3.9	6.6	2011	21.5 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Applied Sciences applsci	2.9	6.1	2011	15 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Economies economies	2.3	5.2	2013	23.3 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Platforms platforms	-	-	2023	25.6 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
Social Sciences socsci	2.0	3.5	2012	30.3 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	4.1	8.9	2009	16.9 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Systems systems	3.8	5.4	2013	19.8 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
World world	2.8	-	2020	29.5 Days	CHF 1200	Submit

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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All Administrative Sciences Economies Sustainability Systems Social Sciences World Applied Sciences Platforms

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29 pages, 377 KB  

Open AccessArticle

A Systemic Measurement Framework of Digital Literacy for Pre-Service Teachers: Development, Validation, and Implications for Sustainable Digital Transformation in Southwest China

by Siyuan Zhang, Xiantong Zhao and Zhisong Tang

Systems 2026, 14(6), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14060599 - 23 May 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 588

Abstract

Digital literacy (DL) is a cornerstone of sustainable digital transformation in education, yet its systemic cultivation among pre-service teachers in resource-constrained regions remains critically under-theorized. This study develops and validates a contextualized DL measurement framework grounded in the “triple identity” of pre-service teachers [...] Read more.

Digital literacy (DL) is a cornerstone of sustainable digital transformation in education, yet its systemic cultivation among pre-service teachers in resource-constrained regions remains critically under-theorized. This study develops and validates a contextualized DL measurement framework grounded in the “triple identity” of pre-service teachers as citizens, learners, and future educators. Employing a multiphase mixed-methods design, this systemic framework was refined via Delphi consultation and rigorously validated through exploratory (n = 287) and confirmatory factor analyses (n = 1462) across 24 universities in Southwest China. The newly validated framework, comprising five core dimensions and 41 specific indicators, demonstrates robust psychometric properties and systemic structural validity. Findings reveal a moderately high overall DL (M = 3.44) but highlight a significant “skills-awareness” gap, where operational proficiency exceeds conceptual cognition, particularly in comparison with findings reported in other Chinese regions. Hierarchical regression indicated that structural variables added substantial explanatory power beyond individual demographic characteristics, with institution type emerging as the strongest predictor and urban-rural background making an additional significant contribution. These results underscore the paradox between DL’s inherent malleability and the rigid constraints of structural inequality. The study offers a validated measurement tool and an evidence-informed roadmap for policy interventions aimed at bridging the digital divide in underdeveloped teacher education systems, advocating for a shift from technical training toward systemic equity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Digital Transformation: Integrating Economic, Technological, and Societal Perspectives)

20 pages, 979 KB  

Open AccessArticle

A Panel Data Analysis of Factors Implicating SDG16 Attainment: The Role of E-Government

by Rosario Pérez-Morote, Humberto Nuno Rito Ribeiro, Loukas Glyptis and Carolina Pontones-Rosa

Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(6), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16060248 - 23 May 2026

Viewed by 422

Abstract

Drawing on Governance Theory and institutional perspectives, this study analyses the relationship between e-government use and SDG16-related institutional outcomes across 27 European countries during 2010–2022. Using longitudinal panel data estimations with country and year fixed effects, complemented by an exploratory cluster analysis, the [...] Read more.

Drawing on Governance Theory and institutional perspectives, this study analyses the relationship between e-government use and SDG16-related institutional outcomes across 27 European countries during 2010–2022. Using longitudinal panel data estimations with country and year fixed effects, complemented by an exploratory cluster analysis, the paper examines how technological, economic, and demographic factors influence trust in public institutions, voice and accountability, and control of corruption. The results reveal substantial heterogeneity across institutional dimensions. Economic variables, particularly income per capita and unemployment, emerge as the most robust predictors of institutional performance. By contrast, the effects of technological variables weaken considerably once structural country heterogeneity is controlled for. The findings suggest that digitalisation is more strongly associated with institutional trust than with improvements in democratic accountability or corruption control. Cluster analysis identifies heterogeneous trajectories of e-government adoption across European countries, indicating that digitalisation does not automatically generate governance improvements in all contexts. Overall, the study shows that the effectiveness of e-government depends heavily on broader institutional and socio-economic conditions and highlights the importance of distinguishing structural cross-country differences from within-country longitudinal dynamics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Digital Transformation: Integrating Economic, Technological, and Societal Perspectives)

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20 pages, 758 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Corporate Sustainability, Management Information Systems, and Business Performance in Libyan Banks: The Roles of Information Quality and Organizational Culture

by Haithem Abd Esharf Bderi and Sami Mohammad

Sustainability 2026, 18(10), 5023; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18105023 - 16 May 2026

Viewed by 619

Abstract

This study examines the effect of corporate sustainability and management information systems (MIS) on business performance within the Libyan banks and investigates the mediatory role of information quality along with the moderating role of organizational culture. While the importance of the interaction between [...] Read more.

This study examines the effect of corporate sustainability and management information systems (MIS) on business performance within the Libyan banks and investigates the mediatory role of information quality along with the moderating role of organizational culture. While the importance of the interaction between sustainability and digital capability is becoming increasingly acknowledged, there is yet to be an explicit agreement on the combined impact of both aspects on performance in developing banking organizations. To overcome this problem, a quantitative methodology was applied in the course of the research, which involved collecting data using a survey from 387 respondents from public and private Libyan banks. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to validate the suggested associations. According to the results obtained, corporate sustainability and management information systems have a substantial positive influence on business performance in the case under investigation. At the same time, information quality works as an important mediating variable implying that the efficacy of any sustainability- and technology-related strategy relies on the quality of generated information. Moreover, organizational culture is shown to have a strong moderating influence on the link between information quality and performance since cultures supportive of innovation make the use of information even more valuable for performance. In conclusion, it could be stated that business performance in Libyan banks is achieved through the integration of socio-technical processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Digital Transformation: Integrating Economic, Technological, and Societal Perspectives)

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29 pages, 1611 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Systemic Configurations of New Quality Productive Forces and the Realization Pathways of High-Quality Economic Development: A Dynamic QCA Analysis Based on Panel Data from 30 Chinese Provinces

by Jiafu Liu and Mei Dong

Systems 2026, 14(5), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14050564 - 15 May 2026

Viewed by 416

Abstract

Against the backdrop of concurrent economic transformation, deepening digitalization, and green upgrading, this study aims to uncover the mechanisms through which the system of new quality productive forces drives high-quality economic development. Drawing on a six-element framework comprising new-quality labor, new means of [...] Read more.

Against the backdrop of concurrent economic transformation, deepening digitalization, and green upgrading, this study aims to uncover the mechanisms through which the system of new quality productive forces drives high-quality economic development. Drawing on a six-element framework comprising new-quality labor, new means of production, new labor objects, new technology, production organization, and data elements, the study uses panel data from 30 Chinese provinces covering the period 2014–2023 and applies dynamic qualitative comparative analysis (dynamic QCA) to examine the relevant configurational pathways and their cross-temporal evolution. The results show that no single condition constitutes a temporally and regionally stable necessary condition for high-quality economic development. Instead, high-quality economic development is primarily realized through three pathways: a technology–organization–tool-dominated pathway, a talent–data–carrier-led pathway, and a technology–organization–carrier-compensation pathway. The explanatory power of these pathways also varies across stages. The findings indicate that high-quality economic development arises from the synergistic configuration and dynamic recombination of multiple elements of new quality productive forces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Digital Transformation: Integrating Economic, Technological, and Societal Perspectives)

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28 pages, 962 KB  

Open AccessArticle

AI Leadership Without Integration: Evidence of Human-AI Misalignment in Innovation Processes and Outcomes

by Aleksandar Ignjatović Pertini and Aleksandra Vujko

World 2026, 7(5), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/world7050072 - 30 Apr 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 971

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between AI leadership, human-centered independence, and organizational innovation processes and outcomes, challenging the prevailing assumption that leadership-driven AI adoption is inherently associated with improved performance. The research draws on a dual-structured model of AI leadership—AI-driven innovation leadership (Sun) [...] Read more.

This study examines the relationship between AI leadership, human-centered independence, and organizational innovation processes and outcomes, challenging the prevailing assumption that leadership-driven AI adoption is inherently associated with improved performance. The research draws on a dual-structured model of AI leadership—AI-driven innovation leadership (Sun) and reflective AI governance leadership (Moon)—to examine whether these approaches are associated with human capability development and innovation performance. Data were collected from 2754 respondents across diverse organizational contexts using a structured survey. The measurement model was validated through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and the hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results indicate that none of the proposed positive relationships are empirically supported. Neither leadership dimension shows a statistically significant relationship with human-centered independence or innovation performance, while the only statistically significant relationship is negative, indicating that human-centered independence, when not integrated with AI, is associated with lower levels of innovation outcomes. The absence of mediation and negligible explained variance further indicate the lack of an integrated structural relationship among the examined constructs. These findings challenge linear models of AI leadership by showing that the coexistence of AI-oriented leadership and human-centered capabilities does not ensure their integration. The study proposes the AI-Human Misalignment Framework as an interpretative lens, suggesting that innovation outcomes may depend on alignment rather than the mere presence of capabilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Digital Transformation: Integrating Economic, Technological, and Societal Perspectives)

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