Bridging the gap between dynamic and ordinary capabilities in digital transformation: a bibliometric and topic modelling analysis

Abstract

Digital transformation is a key driver of firm performance, supported by technological adoption, strategic alignment and dynamic capabilities (DC). However, a critical gap remains in the limited understanding of how ordinary capabilities (OC) interact with DC in shaping transformation outcomes. This study aims to map the intellectual structure, methodological trends and capability configurations in research on digital transformation, performance and organisational capabilities. A bibliometric analysis combined with Latent Dirichlet Allocation was conducted on 818 articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science (2015–2024), following and preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. The study integrates performance indicators, co-occurrence networks and thematic mapping to identify key research trends and structures. The literature evolves through three phases: emergence, structuring and accelerated growth, with strong geographical concentration in China, the UK and Italy. Results show a shift from technology adoption to understanding how firms lead, integrate and sustain digital transformation for performance. While digital, innovation, learning, managerial and cultural capabilities dominate, OC remain largely absent, highlighting a significant gap. This study emphasises the importance of integrating dynamic and OC to better explain digital transformation and performance. It proposes an integrative capability perspective and calls for longitudinal research to capture capability co-evolution over time.