Digital transformation and innovation and business ecosystems: A bibliometric analysis for conceptual insights and collaborative practices for ecosystem innovation

This research aims to provide an ecosystem-inspired approach to digital transformation (DT) for sustainable innovations by reviewing state-of-the-art research. Focusing on DT innovation pathways for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a DT innovation roadmap incorporating various notions of ecosystems can thus be developed based on the findings in response to advancements in the “Helix” models of innovation and policy progress in green digital transformation.

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, a bibliographic search was conducted in the Web of Science (WoS) database. A bibliometric analysis was then performed, leading to various science mapping outcomes. The research findings suggest practical DT innovation pathways for stakeholders aiming to achieve SDGs and a DT innovation roadmap to assist researchers in navigating the evolving innovation landscape.

Since 2007, research output has experienced rapid growth, especially after 2018, with active contributions from countries such as China, Australia, England, and Italy, as well as affiliations such as Guangzhou Nanfang College, Curtin University, and Harvard University. The findings, including a performance overview, a set of clustering analyses of concepts and themes, the conceptual and intellectual structure, and an SDG identification table, provide the basis for the proposed Green Digital Transformation (GDT) innovation roadmap with DT innovation pathways.

This research is the first to conduct a bibliometric analysis and science mapping of the DT literature focusing on innovation and business ecosystems. The proposed GDT innovation roadmap outlines the usefulness of the concept of “ecosystem innovation,” integrating the natural ecosystem, ecosystem services, ecosystem economy, business ecosystem, innovation ecosystem, and digital ecosystems, thereby calling for the eco-design of DT strategies that foster alignment and partnership across sectors and disciplines.