Jul 2026· Istanbul Journal of Economics / İstanbul İktisat Dergisi· 0 citations· 22 references
TL;DR
By promoting healthier digital practices, organisations can improve employee well-being and effectively use digital tools, ultimately enhancing competitiveness in a dynamic landscape.
Abstract
This study examines the essential role of innovative approaches in enhancing business sustainability, focusing on how technology and digital transformation can manage growing data volumes, reduce energy consumption, and improve organisational performance. As digital technologies rapidly evolve, companies must adapt their policies and practices, often facing an adaptation crisis that requires social and institutional changes. Effective management of digital transformation calls for new corporate policies and structuring. Research indicates that many organisations struggle with digital transformation due to a lack of awareness of their current digital capabilities and unclear guidelines for adopting new technologies. Using the Network Readiness Index (NRI), this study assesses firms' readiness to leverage digital technologies across various dimensions, including technology, human resources, governance, and impact. The result of regression analysis emphasises the prominent effect of the people factor on technology. Through semi-structured interviews, a comparative analysis with index scores reveals that while digitalisation is seen as a cost-saving tool, its adoption varies widely across sectors. To address potential negative impacts of digitalisation on employee well-being, the study recommends policies to monitor screen time, encourage offline activities, and design ergonomic digital workspaces. By promoting healthier digital practices, organisations can improve employee well-being and effectively use digital tools, ultimately enhancing competitiveness in a dynamic landscape.
This study aims to examine how local businesses implement adaptive management and digital transformation in response to the dynamics of the business environment, as well as their implications for strengthening sustainable rural economies within the context of global sustainable development. This study employs a qualitative case study approach, utilizing data collection techniques such as in-depth interviews and field observations to explore adaptive strategies, digital practices, and the operational challenges faced by business actors. The findings reveal that business actors actively implement adaptive strategies, such as price adjustments, product diversification, and service quality improvements in response to market changes. Furthermore, the use of digital platforms enables expanded market access, improved operational efficiency, and the utilization of customer feedback as a basis for continuous evaluation. However, this study also identifies challenges, such as increased competition on digital platforms, dependence on platform systems, and operational cost pressures. These findings indicate that the integration of adaptive management and digital transformation can strengthen business resilience and sustainability, while contributing to the development of more inclusive and competitive rural economic systems. This study contributes by presenting an integrative perspective that links micro-level business adaptation with digital transformation in supporting sustainable rural economic development.
Wan Mariatul Kifti· Proceedings of the Internati...· 0 citations
This systematic literature review explores the relationship between digital maturity and economic sustainability, with government support as a moderating factor, and proposes a multi-level conceptual framework and actionable policy recommendations to support inclusive and adaptive SME digitalization.
Bisri Bisri· Dinasti International Journa...· 0 citations
Purpose: This study examines the influence of digital transformation (DT) on the sustainable performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa. Digital transformation is gradually identified as a driver of competitiveness, allowing businesses to adjust to technological and market changes.
Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was used for the study, drawing responses from a sample size of 213 SME owners and managers in the City of Matlosana Municipality, South Africa. Respondents were identified through a random sampling method. Hypothesised relationships were examined using Structural Equation Modelling with Smart-Partial Least Squares as the analytical tool.
Findings/results: The results show that Digital Intensity significantly and positively influences financial, environmental, and social performance (SP), highlighting its role as a primary driver of SME sustainability. In contrast, Transformation Management Intensity shows no significant effects across these performance dimensions, suggesting that managerial effort without robust digital capabilities is insufficient to deliver measurable sustainability outcomes.
Practical implications: The study contributes to Resource-Based View by demonstrating that digital resources function as critical enablers of long-term competitiveness and sustainability in SMEs. For practice, these findings underline the need for prioritising investment in digital tools and skills. Policymakers and support agencies should consider targeted initiatives, including training, funding and infrastructure support, to address barriers that constrain SME DT.
Originality/value: The study offers empirical data from a developing market, integrating financial, environmental and SP into the examination of DT. It advances current debates by distinguishing between the roles of digital resources and managerial transformation efforts in shaping SME sustainability.
R. K. Letshaba, Lebogang Mosupye-Semenya· South African Journal of Bus...· 0 citations
Digital transformation was a pivotal factor in enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of micro-businesses, particularly in emerging economies. This study explored the role of digital transformation and strategic innovation in driving business growth, financial stability, and adaptability. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, data were collected from 100 micro-businesses across various sectors in Cebu City through purposive sampling. The findings indicated that adopting digital tools, such as online payment solutions, digital marketing, and cybersecurity measures, significantly improved operational efficiency and customer engagement. Moreover, strategic innovation, characterized by unique product offerings, flexible pricing models, and collaborative partnerships, positively correlated with financial resilience and business sustainability. However, challenges such as technological adoption barriers and resource constraints persisted among micro-businesses. The study underscored the importance of integrating digitalization with innovation-driven strategies to achieve long-term business success. These findings provided valuable insights for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry stakeholders in developing frameworks that support digital transformation and sustainable micro-business practices.
Marivic Pogado· Psychology and Education: A...· 0 citations
The increasing pressure for sustainable business practices, combined with rapid digitalisation, is reshaping organisational strategies worldwide. This study investigates the impact of digital transformation on sustainable business practices, environmental sustainability, and business performance in the Albanian retail sector. A quantitative research approach was employed, using survey data collected from retail firms and analysed through reliability, correlation, regression, and moderation analyses. The findings indicate that digital transformation has a positive and statistically significant effect on sustainable business practices and environmental sustainability, while exerting its strongest influence on business performance. The results further reveal that support mechanisms, including training, financial assistance, and institutional support, significantly enhance the effectiveness of sustainable digital transformation. In contrast, organisational barriers, such as limited infrastructure and low levels of digital literacy, do not have a direct significant effect; however, their negative impact is mitigated by the presence of support mechanisms, confirming a moderating effect. These findings highlight the critical role of digital transformation as a driver of both sustainability and organisational performance. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence from the context of an emerging economy and offers practical implications for managers and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable digital development.
Dorjana Feimi· Economics and Environment· 0 citations
This study aims to examine how digital cultural values, collaboration, innovation and customer-centricity enable successful technological adoption in the banking sector's digital transformation journey. It explores how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), blockchain and metaverse-based interfaces are integrated to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency, with emphasis on the role of shared values in shaping strategy, leadership and organizational readiness.
A qualitative, case-based exploratory design is adopted. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with senior managers across strategy, innovation, technology and customer experience functions. These were supplemented with secondary sources, including policy documents, digital strategy reports and industry analyses. Thematic analysis was used to identify cultural patterns and organizational factors influencing digital adoption in a regulated banking context.
The findings show that digital cultural values are critical enablers of successful technological adoption. Collaboration enhances cross-functional coordination and accelerates integration of emerging technologies. Innovation fosters experimentation and openness to AI, ML and immersive tools. Customer-centricity ensures that digital investments improve accessibility, transparency and service quality. Collectively, these values strengthen adaptability, operational efficiency and ecosystem integration, highlighting that cultural alignment is as important as technological capability in digital transformation.
The study positions digital cultural values as central enablers of technology adoption, extending digital transformation literature beyond technological capability perspectives. It contributes to theory by showing how shared values mediate the relationship between emerging technologies and service transformation in regulated banking environments. Practically, it offers guidance for building culturally aligned digital strategies that improve adoption, trust and customer experience.
Nidhi Maheshwari, S. Malhotra· Kybernetes· 0 citations