Search results

The effect of the transition toward digital technologies on today’s businesses (i.e. Industry 4.0 transition) is becoming increasingly relevant, and the number of studies that have examined this phenomenon has grown rapidly. However, systematizing the existing findings is still a challenge, from both a theoretical and a managerial point of view. In such a setting, the knowledge management (KM) discipline can provide guidance to address such a gap. Indeed, the implementation of fundamental digital technologies is reshaping how firms manage knowledge. Thus, this study aims to critically review the existing literature on Industry 4.0 from a KM perspective.

First, the authors defined a structuring framework to highlight the role of Industry 4.0 transition along with absorptive capacity (ACAP) processes (acquisition, assimilation, transformation and exploitation), while specifying what is being managed, that is data, information and/or (actual) knowledge, according to the data-information-knowledge (DIK) hierarchy. The authors then followed the systematic literature review methodology, which involves the use of explicit criteria to select publications to review and outline the stages a process has to follow to provide a transparent and replicable review and to analyze the existing literature according to the theoretical framework. This procedure yielded a final list of 150 papers.

By providing a clear picture of what scholars have studied so far on Industry 4.0 transition, in terms of KM, this literature review highlights that among all the studied digital technologies, the big data analytics technology is the one that has been explored the most in each phase of the ACAP process. A constructive body of research has also emerged in recent years around the role played by the internet of things, especially to explain the acquisition of data. On the other hand, some digital technologies, such as cyber security and smart manufacturing, have largely remained unaddressed. An explanation of the role of these technologies has been provided, from a KM perspective, together with the business implications.

This study is one of the first attempts to revise the literature on Industry 4.0 transition from a KM perspective, and it proposes a novel framework to read existing studies and on which to base new ones. Furthermore, the synthesis makes two main contributions. First, it provides a clear picture of the different digital technologies that support the four ACAP phases in relation to the DIK hierarchy. Accordingly, these results can emphasize what the literature has looked at so far, as well as which digital technologies have gained the most attention and their impacts in terms of KM. Second, the synthesis provides prescriptive considerations on the development of future research avenues, according to the proposed research framework.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of digital infrastructure in higher education surged. This study aims to analyze how a country’s digital capabilities influence pedagogical transitions in business schools and compare the impacts between digitally advanced and advancing countries.

The authors applied the job demands–resources model and the IMD World Digital Competition Ranking 2021 to analyze the impact of nations’ digital capabilities on the pedagogical transitions experienced by 121 business faculty members from 20 nations. The countries were categorized into digitally advanced countries and advancing countries. The snowball sampling method was used to gather data through an online survey consisting of 24 items. SPSS was used to statistically analyze the data in two stages using paired t-test and group comparison.

Significant shifts between face-to-face and online lectures occurred in both groups. Advanced countries witnessed positive shifts in discussions, presentations, oral assessment, independent learning opportunities, online teaching methods, technical support and faculties’ readiness, whereas advancing countries mainly noted alterations in professional development and communication technologies.

This study offers insights into optimizing digital capabilities and enhancing business schools’ readiness for effective pedagogical shifts during crises. Both the theoretical contribution and the findings will benefit national education policies, higher education institution leaders, scholars and educators.

Although FCC policy has mostly focused on broadcasters, the digital transition of television has involved a number of other players, notably cable television, DBS, and other multi‐channel video providers (MVPDs). What have been the economic effects of this transition on these various industry players and on viewers? The paper aims to answer this question.

This paper assembles an historical database to compare changes over time in consumer spending, television advertising revenue and related economic data extending back to the 1950s.

The authors show that non‐broadcast suppliers of TV programming, especially cable operators, have been able to take much greater economic advantage of the digital television transition than have broadcasters. Cable and DBS systems have used digital technology to greatly expand the amount of programming available and to more efficiently price discriminate on the basis of program quality – including the direct sale to consumers of broadcast and other HD programming. The result has been rapidly rising cable and DBS revenues since the mid‐1990s, and a general shift from advertiser to direct payment support for television services. Overall, digital transition has enhanced the economic viability of cable and DBS delivery, and decreased that of broadcasting. It is evident that consumers have much higher quality and variety of programming available as a result, though usually at higher prices.

The statistical analysis of this paper has been broad. Other factors have undoubtedly affected the aggregate trends.

The overall pattern of television industry trends makes evident that FCC digital conversion policies have worked to the disadvantage of the traditional broadcast model.

The purpose of this study is to explore the mechanisms underlying the transformation of records management (RM) to digital processes in the context of electronic records management systems (ERMS). The aim is to facilitate the evaluation of the long-term performance of ERMS and the effectiveness of the current standards.

Qualitative methods, such as participant observation and the constructivist grounded theory, were applied on a case of ERMS implementation in the Chinese public sector.

The results revealed that the application of transition-oriented ERMS would stimulate restructuring in the RM pattern and expectation on the functions of ERMS, with information quality underlying as a key challenging factor. The above-stated factors together drive the digital transformation of RM. A model for this mechanism is provided in the present study.

The selected case serves as an example for the cases that are not conditional on enforcing the electronic documents and RMS. As preliminary research, only one case has been studied here. However, it is possible to conduct other case studies to develop a further understanding of the transformation process.

The novelty of the present study is that it draws attention to the challenges encountered in moving RM towards digital transformation, by providing a theoretical foundation for developing sustainable evaluations of the ERMS and the associated current standards.

This paper aims to estimate the social gains from an analog TV switch‐off in 13 EU countries, focusing on the value of TV band spectrum in alternative uses.

By using data from existing mobile phone markets, changes are projected in retail prices for wireless voice services, assuming a reallocation (to mobile telephony) of about 42 percent of TV band spectrum.

It is forecast that retail mobile phone tariffs would substantially decline if a transition to digital television led to enhanced availability of VHF/UHF spectrum for wireless telecommunications. Consumer surplus gains offset transition costs by at least 2‐to‐1, and as much as 45‐to‐1. These net benefits are conservatively estimated in that other services (apart from mobile telephony) could prove more socially valuable, and because we ignore the considerable increase in video choices the transition could provide. It is also found, however, that wireless operators' profits sharply decline with additional spectrum, due to more intense competition. This suggests a public choice dynamic, often overlooked, that potentially helps to explain the slow pace of the digital TV transition.

Regulations blocking TV band spectrum from reallocation to non‐TV applications ought to be re‐examined in light of the associated costs and benefits.

This paper quantifies, using conservative methods, the cost of current spectrum policies.

The purpose of this study is to describe the evolution of fraud schemes with historically conducted with fiat money in physical space to the crypto-assets in digital space as follows: ransomware, price manipulation, pump and dump schemes, misrepresentation, spoofing and Ponzi Schemes. To explain how fraud schemes have evolved alongside digital asset markets, this study applies the space transition theory.

The methodology used is a review of the media regarding six digital asset fraud schemes that have evolved from physical space to virtual space that are currently operational, as well as a review of the literature regarding the space transition theory.

This paper finds that the digital space and digital assets may facilitate pseudonymous criminal behavior in the present regulatory environment.

The field is rapidly evolving, however this study finds that the conversion from physical to virtual space obfuscates the criminal activity, facilitating anonymity of the perpetrators, and creating new challenges for the legal and regulatory environment.

This paper finds that the digital space and digital assets may facilitate pseudonymous criminal behavior in the present regulatory environment. An understanding of the six crypto-asset fraud schemes described in the paper is useful for anti-financial crime professionals and regulators focusing on deterrence.

The space transition theory offers an explanation for why digital space leads criminals to be better positioned to conduct financial crime in virtual space relative to physical space. This offers insights into behavior of digital asset fraudster behavior that could help limit the social damage caused by crypto-asset fraud.

To the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to detail the evolution of fraud schemes with fiat money in physical space to their corresponding schemes with digital assets in physical space. This study is also the first to integrate the space transition theory into an analysis of digital asset fraud schemes.

How can academic libraries unlock staff capacity for new initiatives as they transition their collections from print to digital? The following are four strategies for recapturing staff time as libraries adopt new formats while still supporting older ones at a smaller volume. First, librarians should employ strategic collection development that takes into consideration opportunities for efficiencies as they make the print to digital transition. Second, libraries should implement creative reorganizations in order to scale down print services and effectively manage new digital formats. Third, libraries should rightscale their infrastructure, that is, choose the appropriate level – local, consortial/regional, national, or global – where collection management activities should take place. Fourth, libraries, library software vendors, and publishers should develop purchasing and resource discovery infrastructures that harness shared data to enable network level electronic resource management.

In the landscape created by digital transformation, developing the ability to adapt and innovate by absorbing and generating new knowledge has become a strategic priority for organizations. The theory of dynamic capabilities, especially from a knowledge-based perspective, has proven particularly useful in studying the phenomena of transformation and change. Moving from this premise, this paper aims to map the state of research and to define guidelines for the actualization of dynamic capabilities theory in the digital transformation era.

A structured literature review of 75 papers, using descriptive, bibliographic and content analysis, was performed to analyze the evolution of dynamic capabilities in the context of digital transformation.

Studies concerning knowledge-based dynamic capabilities for digital transformation have been clustered into five main research areas: the micro-foundation of dynamic capabilities for digital transformation; dynamic capabilities for value creation in digital transformation; dynamic capabilities for digital transition in specific industries; dynamic capabilities for “data-driven organizations”; and dynamic capabilities for digital transformation in SMEs and family firms. A future research agenda for scholars in strategic management is presented.

A conceptual framework and a future research agenda are presented to highlight directions for this promising research field concerning the renewal of dynamic capabilities in the context of digital transformation.

The originality of the paper lies in the conceptual framework aiming to systematize current research on knowledge-based dynamic capabilities for digital transformation and to provide a new conceptualization of digital dynamic capabilities, clarifying how organizations create and share knowledge in the era of digitalization.

While the potential for digital innovation (DI) to transform organizational practices is widely acknowledged in the information systems (IS) literature, there is very limited understanding on the socio-political nature of institutional interactions that determine DI and affect organizational practices in social cash organizations. Drawing on the neo-institutionalist vision, the purpose of the study is to examine the unique set of institutional exchanges that influence the transition to digital social cash payments that give rise to new institutional arrangements in social cash organizations.

The paper draws on an in-depth case study of a government social cash organization in Pakistan. Qualitative data were collected using 30 semi-structured interviews from key organizational members and stakeholders.

The results suggest that DI is determined by the novel intersections between the coercive (techno-economic, regulatory), normative (socio-organizational), mimetic (international) and covert power (political) forces. Hence, DI is not a technologically deterministic output, but rather a complex socio-political process enacted through dialogue, negotiation and conflict between institutional actors. Technology is socially embedded through the process of institutionalization that is coupled by the deinstitutionalization of established organizational practices for progressive transformation.

The research has implications for government social cash organizations especially in the Global South. Empirically, the authors gained rare access to, and support from a government-backed social cash organization in Pakistan (an understudied country in the Global South), which made the data and the consequent analyses even invaluable. This made the empirical contribution within this geographical setting even more worthy, since this case study has received little attention from indigenous scholars in the past. The empirical findings showcased a unique set of contextual factors that were subject to BISP and interpreted through an account of socio-cultural sensitivities.

The paper provides practical implications for policymakers and practitioners, emphasizing the need to address institutional challenges, including covert power, during the implementation of digitalization projects in the public sector. The paper has certain potential for inspiring future e-government related (or public sector focused) studies. The paper may guide both private and government policy-makers and practitioners in presenting how to overcome certain institutional challenges while planning and implementing large scale multi-stakeholder digitization projects in similar country contexts. So while there is scope of linking the digitization of public sector organizations to anti-corruption measures in other Global South countries, the paper may not be that straightforward with the private sector involvement.

The paper offers rich social insights on the institutional interchanges that occur between the social actors for the innovation of technology. Especially, the paper highlights the social-embeddedness nature of technology that underpins the institutionalization of new organizational practices. These have implications on how DI is viewed as a socio-political process of change.

This study contributes to neo-institutional theory by theorizing covert power as a political force that complements the neo-institutional framework. This force is subtle but also resistive for some political actors as the force shifts the equilibrium of power between different institutional actors. Furthermore, the paper presents the social and practical implications that guide policymakers and practitioners by taking into consideration the unique institutional challenges, such as covert power, while implementing large scale digital projects in the social cash sector.