The role of digital transformation in corporate governance: a systematic literature review

Abstract

This study investigates the role of digital transformation (DT) in corporate governance (CG) by analysing 50 articles selected using PRISMA guidelines from the Web of Science (WOS) database. Although the findings are fragmented, most studies suggest that digital technologies can enhance transparency, strengthen internal control functions, and support decision-making processes. However, the literature also highlights emerging tensions, such as ethical risks, legal limitations, and organisational barriers that may compromise the full benefits of digitalisation in CG. The study offers practical implications for board members and managers, highlighting the need for greater digital literacy and ethical awareness. It also provides policy implications, suggesting that effective implementation of DT in CG requires not only new rules but also strengthened institutional capacity, improved regulatory literacy, and clear frameworks to balance technological innovation with accountability. This study highlights the tension between transparency and new forms of digital opacity. Furthermore, the analysis calls for a reconsideration of the boundaries of traditional “agency” relationships, showing how DT may transform traditional monitoring into a system in which human oversight and digital tools coexist and interact.