Visiting and exploring digital transformation management: a bibliometric analysis and review study

Purpose

This study aims to explore and understand the literature on digital transformation (DT) research that will lead to developing a conceptual and thematic structure of DT management.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach employed a hybrid approach of bibliometric analysis and a structured review of DT management research studies from 2017 to 2023. Although systematic reviews and bibliometric analysis are distinct methods, they complement one another in research by enabling the synthesis and analysis of existing literature. Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) were selected as the bibliographic databases for this study since they are generally accepted as the most comprehensive data sources for various purposes.

Findings

Findings revealed 186 publications during these periods, with the top three publications being the Journal of Business Research, Business Horizons and California Business Review. Top-ranking researchers hailed from Germany, Japan and Spain. Keywords that appeared were innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and DT. In the management area, there are fewer studies conceptualising DT management that led to this study forming a conceptual framework using a qualitative, interpretative and thematic analysis approach.

Originality/value

These findings are relevant for understanding the phenomenon of DT and DT management. The study contributes to the emerging body of knowledge in management and DT.