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This study aims to focus on a key unanswered question about how digitalization and the knowledge processes it enables affect firms’ strategies in the international arena.

The authors conduct a systematic literature review of relevant theoretical and empirical studies covering over 20 years of research (from 2000 to 2023) and including 73 journal papers.

This review allows us to highlight a relationship between firms’ international strategies and the knowledge processes enabled by applying digital technologies. Specifically, the authors discuss the characteristics of patterns of knowledge flows and knowledge processes (their origin, the type of knowledge they carry on and their directionality) as determinants for the emergence of diverse international strategies embraced by single firms or by populations of firms within ecosystems, networks, global value chains or alliances.

Despite digital technologies constituting important antecedents and critical factors for the internationalization process, and international businesses in general, and operating cross borders implies the enactment of highly knowledge-intensive processes, current literature still fails to provide a holistic picture of how firms strategically use what they know and seek out what they do not know in the international environment, using the affordances of digital technologies.

Digitization is the process of transforming analog systems into digital ones, and it has become a crucial factor in the sustainable development of emerging economies. Although implementing digitization may be challenging due to limited budgets, missing strategies, pushback from employees, and the existing organizational structure, it can bring multifaceted benefits to the economy, such as improved employment and income, enhanced access to knowledge and education, and reduced costs for companies and countries. Moreover, digitization can significantly impact economic growth, as it can create new job opportunities, foster innovation, and improve infrastructure, among other benefits. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a global agenda for creating a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future by 2030, and digital technologies have become increasingly important in addressing the challenges of achieving these goals, particularly for emerging economies. However, achieving these ambitious goals presents significant challenges, particularly for emerging economies. Hence, this literature review aims to discuss the potential impact of digital technologies on the implementation of the SDGs in emerging economies, supported by scholarly research and opinions. In conclusion, digital technologies have significant potential to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs by promoting economic growth and innovation while also promoting sustainability, creating a more prosperous and equitable world for all.

Based on the background of enterprise digital transformation, this paper aims to examine the impact of digitization on the cooperative behavior and environmental performance of green technology innovation.

By constructing a model of quantity competition between the two enterprises, this paper examines the impact of digitization on the cooperative behavior and environmental performance of green technology innovation from the micro level. It uses Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share-listed companies as research samples. An unbalanced panel data set from 2011 to 2018 was constructed to empirically test the effect of digital transformation on the environmental performance of enterprises.

The findings reveal the following. First, digital transformation can significantly improve the environmental performance of enterprises. Second, green technological innovation sharing plays an intermediary role between digital transformation and enterprise environmental performance. Third, when the level of digitization is high, the sharing effect of green technology innovation brought about by digital technology is stronger and enterprises tend to carry out cooperative green technology innovation. Lastly, the level of development of regional science and technology finance plays a positive regulatory role in digital transformation and enterprise environmental performance.

This paper first proposes that green technology innovation-sharing is an important mechanism that can significantly improve enterprises' environmental performance. The authors empirically examine the mechanism and analyze the heterogeneity of the impact of digitalization level on enterprises' environmental performance. The authors also discuss the moderating effect of regional technology and finance development levels on the relationship between digitalization and enterprises' environmental performance.

This article introduces the key findings from investigating technology's role in mitigating the business slowdown enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated increased reliance on technological means among Saudi firms and citizens to facilitate business operations and other daily life routines, and the impact of this increase in technology adoption on the Saudi digital ecosystem and creating an inviting environment to digital entrepreneurship.

A qualitative interview methodology is undertaken to understand Saudi managers’ perceptions about the COVID-19 pandemic and digital entrepreneurship.

A significant finding is that now than ever before, the Saudi market is ready to accommodate more digital entrepreneurial ventures and digitalisation support services. Due to the pandemic's negative implications on the Saudi economy and the business slowdown associated with social distancing measures, a substantial increase in digital orientation and a need for technological solutions were noticed among Saudi firms. This means more attention needs to be placed on how Saudi firms can capitalise on the knowledge economy and digital revolution.

Saudi citizens have become more reliant on technology to manage daily activities and shop for their needs, creating opportunities for digital entrepreneurship to serve and fulfil firms' and people's increased demand for technology solutions.

This research aims to reveal the working principles of the decision mechanism that affects the use of neural implant acceptance and to discuss the leading role of digital literacy in this mechanism. In addition, it aimed to examine the theoretical connections of the research model with the conservation of resources (COR) and technology acceptance model (TAM) theories in the discussion.

The authors collected data from 300 individuals in an organization operating in the health sector and analyzed the data in the Smart Partial Least Squares (PLS) 3.3.3. This way, the authors determined the relationships between the variables, the path coefficients and the significance levels.

The study has found that strong digital literacy skills are linked to positive emotions and attitudes. Additionally, maintaining a positive mindset can improve one's understanding of ethics. Ethical attitudes and positive emotions can also increase the likelihood of adopting neural implants. Therefore, it is crucial to consider both technical and ethical concerns and emotions when deciding whether to use neural implants.

The research results determined the links between the cognitive, emotional and ethical factors in the cyborgization process of the employees and gave original insights to the managers and employees.

1. Determination of antecedents that affect individuals' acceptance of neural implant use.

2. Application to 300 individuals working in a health organization.

3. Path analysis using the least squares method via Smart PLS 3.3.3

4. Significant path coefficients among digital literacy, positive emotions, attitude, ethical understanding and acceptance of neural implant use.

Determination of antecedents that affect individuals' acceptance of neural implant use.

Application to 300 individuals working in a health organization.

Path analysis using the least squares method via Smart PLS 3.3.3

Significant path coefficients among digital literacy, positive emotions, attitude, ethical understanding and acceptance of neural implant use.

In the literature, evidence is to be found of the positive effect of high-performance work systems (HPWSs) on innovation in firms. However, innovation is enabled by not only human resources but also digital technology, and scholars have called for further investigation into the interplay between digital technology and HRM systems. Drawing on signalling theory and HPWSs research, the purpose of this study is to explore the moderating role of digital technologies in the relationship between HPWSs and innovation in the firm and consider employee participation as an additional conditioning factor.

This study uses data from the European Company Suvery 2019 administered in a sample of more than 20,000 European establishments and applies logistic regression with a three-way interaction.

HPWSs underpin product and process innovation. Moreover, this study shows that in firms with low levels of employee participation, digital technology enhances the effect of HPWSs on innovation, while in firms with high levels of employee participation, this effect is reduced.

This study enriches the scholarly discussion about the link between HPWSs and innovation in the firm, by investigating in theoretical and empirical terms the moderating effect of digital technology, underlining that either positive or negative synergistic effects are possible. By adding employee participation to the analysis, the authors cast light on an important boundary condition for understanding when the synergic effects become more prominent. This intends to respond to recent calls from scholars and practitioners for more insight into the precise nature of the synergies between HPWSs and digital technology on innovation in the firm, with important implications for management.

This paper aims to draw on the Dynamic Capabilities View to discuss how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) use digital technologies to develop digital capabilities that will enable them to change their current business model and trajectory, that is, to pivot-within turbulent environments, and subsequently to survive and grow.

The authors collected and analysed qualitative data from 26 SMEs in South-East England that have used digital technologies to pivot during the pandemic. The data was collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews. The authors analysed the data by creating first-order concepts, second-order themes, and aggregating dimensions.

The findings suggest that (1) digital technologies enable pivoting by facilitating the creation of the following digital capability types: “digital sensing”, “digital seizing” and “digital transforming”; (2) Each of these digital capability types is underpinned by micro-foundations (sub-capabilities) and shaped by the digital culture of the organisation. (3) these capabilities are triggered by the turbulent environment and the existing digital technologies, and are shaped by the digital culture.

The authors contribute to the literature of digital entrepreneurship as the authors illustrate (1) how the micro-foundations of digital capabilities, as facilitated by digital technologies, assist pivoting; and (2) the process from key activities during pivoting to second-order themes that represent micro-foundations to digital (dynamic) capabilities for pivoting in turbulent environments. The study highlights the importance of digital pivoting for businesses in the UK Southeast that have many aspirations for growth and innovation, whilst striving to address multiple challenges including digital divide and literacy, inflation and cost of living crisis, as well as supply chain issues.

Digital technologies (DTs) are key and essential in firms and communities. Countries in low-income areas, such as Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) contexts, struggle with digital development. To understand how firms in BOP countries access DTs, a qualitative study was conducted to provide insight into how firms in these contexts access DTs and the challenges they face while accessing these technologies.

An in-depth qualitative study was done, which included semi-structured interviews with digital enterprises. In total, 12 chief executive officers (CEOs) and owners of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) from Ghana and Nigeria were interviewed. NVivo 12 Pro was used for thematic analysis.

Four main findings were identified as follows: (1) how firms in BOP contexts access DTs, (2) the challenges in accessing DTs, (3) factors considered when selecting a technological provider in BOP contexts and (4) solutions and recommendations to the challenges identified. From the results, cost, low technological infrastructure, high transaction costs, regulatory issues, lack of trust, poor digital skills and lack of support were among the barriers to accessing DTs in BOP contexts.

Governments and stakeholders of firms in BOP contexts need to be intentional with their digitalization development to ensure digital inclusion.

The study developed a synopsis of the factors involved in accessing DTs in BOP contexts and is the first to conceptualize firm digital access in BOP contexts.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-05-2023-0213

Hospitality businesses are changing digitally to meet customer demands, provide value and stay competitive. Prior hospitality studies examined customers’ technology acceptance rather than digital technology readiness and acceptance. In addition, no studies have explored how restaurant customers’ digital transformation influences hedonic and utilitarian values and customer well-being. Therefore, this study aims to examine how fast-food restaurant customers’ digital transformation (i.e. technical readiness and acceptance) influences their perceived value and well-being.

This study provides a conceptual framework with six constructs. The data for this study were collected from fast-food restaurant customers in Egypt using a self-administered questionnaire.

According to the findings, customers’ technical readiness for digital transformation in fast-food restaurants substantially impacts their technology acceptance. In addition, customers’ perceived hedonic and utilitarian values are greatly influenced by their acceptance of fast-food restaurant digital technologies, and these perceived values significantly impact customer well-being.

This study presents several suggestions to improve customers’ readiness for digital transformation in fast-food restaurants and the impact on their technology acceptance and perceived value and well-being. Also, this study’s results could impact fast-food restaurants’ decisions to adopt new digital technologies (e.g. service robots) for their customers.

The study adds to the existing literature review by attempting to present a comprehensive picture of fast-food restaurant customers’ digital transformation (i.e. technical readiness and acceptance) and its impact on customers’ perceived values. A potential antecedent of fast-food restaurant customers’ well-being was also investigated: perceived hedonic and utilitarian values.

酒店业正在数字化转型, 以满足顾客需求、提供价值并保持竞争力。之前的酒店业研究主要关注顾客对技术的接受程度, 而不是数字技术准备和接受程度。此外, 没有研究探讨餐厅顾客的数字化转型如何影响享乐和功利价值以及顾客的幸福感。因此, 本研究旨在探讨快餐餐厅顾客的数字化转型（技术准备和接受程度）如何影响他们的感知价值和幸福感。

本研究提供了一个概念框架, 包括六个构面。本研究的数据通过自行填写问卷的方式从埃及的快餐餐厅顾客中收集。

根据研究结果, 快餐餐厅顾客的数字化转型技术准备程度显著影响其对数字技术的接受程度。此外, 快餐餐厅顾客对数字技术的接受程度极大地影响他们对享乐和功利价值的感知, 并且这些感知价值对顾客的幸福感产生显著影响。

本研究试图呈现出一个全面的快餐餐厅顾客的数字化转型（技术准备和接受程度）对顾客感知价值的影响机制。同时, 本研究还调查了快餐餐厅顾客幸福感的潜在前因：感知的享乐和功利价值。

本研究提出了一些建议, 以提高快餐餐厅顾客对数字化转型的准备程度, 并对他们的技术接受程度、感知价值和幸福感产生影响。此外, 本研究的结果会影响快餐餐厅采用新的数字技术（例如服务机器人）来为顾客提供服务的决策。

Digital technologies are changing the business landscape and the way companies are run. This research examines the implementation of digitalisation and digital transformation (DT) and explores the associated advantages and disadvantages.

Case study methodology was employed to help develop an understanding of how key actors implement DT. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were performed with managers of two social economy enterprises in the agri-food sector supply chain.

The specific nature of the supply chain of companies in this sector can hinder the implementation of certain digital technologies. This scenario results in two different approaches to digital technologies: one focused on digitalisation, and another focused on DT. Companies in this sector that seek successful implementation of DT should choose and combine appropriate digital technologies that fit with their DT strategy. They should also structure their organisation to ensure the leadership of senior management to engage all staff.

This study is valuable because of its focus on cooperatives in its analysis of DT. There is scant research on this business model, so the present study helps fill this gap in the literature.