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Digital Technology Supports for Sustainable Development of Human Society during and Post-pandemic Contexts

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 33473

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Information Management, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 824005, Taiwan
Interests: social media marketing; acceptance of emerging technologies; e-commerce & e-business; data mining; structural equation model
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

As the world confronts immense challenges from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, societies all around the globe are dealing with dramatic changes in people’s daily life. In the business world as well, the COVID-19 crisis has created unexpected challenges for customers, businesses, and policymakers. Hence, understanding COVID-19’s effects on the sustainable development (i.e., continuous transformation) of enterprises and industries is vital. Against such a backdrop, information technology and intelligence applications are responsible for the recent “digital transformation” that is frequently used to signify the influence of an array of technologies on social functions and business activities. Significant examples include artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, mobile computing, Big Data, blockchain, social media, augmented reality, cloud computing, etc. This Special Issue concentrates on the way that emerging technologies are affecting the aforementioned sustainable development during and after the pandemic. We intend to evaluate the crucial implications of IT applications and services alongside the policy elements that boost commercial values and broader societal impacts. Furthermore, while extant literature has centered on the supply side’s (e.g., manufacturer) action toward sustainability, there is a substantial gap in our knowledge of the demand side (e.g., customers/users) reaction to sustainability, as attempts are made toward the adoption of emerging technologies and intelligence applications during and after a pandemic. This Special Issue encourages the scientific society to explore and reflect on the outcomes and opportunities of this multifaceted scenario. Topics include but are not limited to the following:

  • Digital sustainability and transformation during and post-pandemic;
  • Digital technology support during and post-pandemic;
  • Technologies for telelearning and interventions;
  • Innovative research, education, and training modes during and post-pandemic;
  • Social networks research in pandemic contexts;
  • Trends in human society development in a post-COVID-19 world;
  • Operationalizing sustainable tourism during and post-pandemic;
  • SDGs during and post-pandemic;
  • Indicators of sustainable human society during and post-pandemic.

Dr. Shih-Chih Chen
Prof. Dr. Chih-Chun Kung
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • sustainable ICT management
  • emergent technologies
  • digital transformation
  • sustainable education and learning
  • sustainable tourism
  • pro-environmental behaviors
  • corporate social responsibility

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 483 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Impact Mechanism of User Behavior Pattern toward Real Estate APP Platforms in the Post-COVID Era: A Quantitative Analysis
by Maosheng Yang, Ping Li, Honghong Zhou, Zeyu Li and Lei Feng
Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8926; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15118926 - 01 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1381
Abstract
While technology factors are the main driver of the booming real estate APP platforms with important implications for user behavior pattern during and post-pandemic contexts, there is a lack of adequate research. In response, this study explores the user behavior pattern of real [...] Read more.
While technology factors are the main driver of the booming real estate APP platforms with important implications for user behavior pattern during and post-pandemic contexts, there is a lack of adequate research. In response, this study explores the user behavior pattern of real estate APP platforms to promote user mental health by taking the real estate APP platforms users as the participants based on theory of technology readiness and acceptance model. Data collected from offline surveys are analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results reveal the technology readiness index positively affects individuals’ perceived usefulness and satisfaction, ultimately positively affects individuals’ continuance intention with real estate APP platforms; satisfaction with real estate APP platforms mediated the relationship between technology readiness index, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and individuals’ continuance intention with real estate APP platforms. However, the group comparison finds no significant difference in user behavior patterns by gender. The contribution of this study is to reveal the influence mechanisms of digital technology on users’ behavioral patterns toward real estate APP platforms, which can help guide the sustainable development of real estate APP platforms and promote user mental health and wellbeing in the post-COVID era. Full article
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22 pages, 1494 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Impact of Workplace Friendship on Social Loafing in Long-Term Care Institutions: An Empirical Study
by Feng-Hua Yang and Fang-Jie Shiu
Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 7828; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15107828 - 10 May 2023
Viewed by 1874
Abstract
In light of the aging population and the rapid growth of people with mental and physical disabilities, the demand for long-term care has increased significantly. In order to meet the massive need for long-term care, the government of the Republic of China has [...] Read more.
In light of the aging population and the rapid growth of people with mental and physical disabilities, the demand for long-term care has increased significantly. In order to meet the massive need for long-term care, the government of the Republic of China has accelerated the training of manpower for care services, and the number of qualified staff and institutions in the long-term care industry has increased accordingly. Although the need for long-term care employees has increased, they face problems such as low pay, low levels of decent work feelings, and high work pressure. Moreover, the increase in employee numbers in the organization does not improve the overall efficiency of long-term care workers. Instead, it has a social loafing effect. Not only in Taiwan, but other countries worldwide, such as Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates, are experiencing a staff shortage, a lack of training, and social loafing in long-term care institutions due to the aging of their populations. Therefore, in this study, workplace friendship as the independent variable, organizational commitment and psychological safety as the mediating variables, and service climate as the moderating variable were used to investigate the effects of social loafing on the employees of long-term care institutions in Taiwan. The results showed that workplace friendship between employees positively and significantly affects organizational commitment and psychological safety. Moreover, organizational commitment and psychological safety will negatively and significantly affect their social loafing. Second, organizational commitment and psychological safety have mediating effects between workplace friendship and social loafing. Furthermore, the service climate of employees in long-term care institutions will positively moderate the impact of their workplace friendship on psychological safety. The results will be provided to those in charge of the long-term care service industry, training institutions, long-term care business-related organizations, and government agencies, as well as for reference in subsequent studies. Full article
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15 pages, 907 KiB  
Article
Effect of Social Presence toward Livestream E-Commerce on Consumers’ Purchase Intention
by Li-Ru Chen, Farn-Shing Chen and Der-Fa Chen
Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3571; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15043571 - 15 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3922
Abstract
The booming development of livestream e-commerce has attracted considerable academic attention, but research on how social presence affects consumers’ purchase decisions is limited. To this end, this article proposed a theoretical framework for the influence of social presence on consumers’ purchasing decisions based [...] Read more.
The booming development of livestream e-commerce has attracted considerable academic attention, but research on how social presence affects consumers’ purchase decisions is limited. To this end, this article proposed a theoretical framework for the influence of social presence on consumers’ purchasing decisions based on social presence theory. In this study, structural equation modeling was carried out on 390 data collected from a questionnaire to verify the mechanisms by which social presence influences purchase intention. The study found that social presence enhances consumer identification, which in turn enhances consumers’ purchase intention. Meanwhile, this study not only verified the mediating role of consumer identification but also tested the positive moderating role of self-improvement by livestream e-commerce. This study found that a live streaming host’s social presence influences the consumers’ purchase behavior, and it provides decision support for companies to sell products through livestreaming platforms, which has important theoretical significance and practical application value. Full article
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14 pages, 2743 KiB  
Article
Emotion Classification and Achievement of Students in Distance Learning Based on the Knowledge State Model
by Yahe Huang and Dongying Bo
Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 2367; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su15032367 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1864
Abstract
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, remote teaching methods have been widely adopted by schools. However, distance education can frequently lead to low student emotional engagement, which can not only cause learning burnout, but also weaken students’ interest in online learning. In view of [...] Read more.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, remote teaching methods have been widely adopted by schools. However, distance education can frequently lead to low student emotional engagement, which can not only cause learning burnout, but also weaken students’ interest in online learning. In view of the above problems, this study first proposed a learner knowledge state model that integrates learning emotions under the background of digital teaching to accurately describe the current learning state of students. Then, on the basis of the public face dataset lapa, we built an online multi-dimensional emotion classification model for students based on ResNet 18 neural network. Experiments showed that the method has an average recognition accuracy of 88.76% for the four cognitive emotions of joy, concentration, confusion, and boredom, among which the accuracy of joy and boredom is the highest, reaching 96.3% and 97.0% respectively. Finally, we analyzed the correlation between students’ emotional classification and grades in distance learning, and verified the effectiveness of the student’s emotional classification model in distance learning applications. In the context of digital teaching, this study provides technical support for distance learning emotion classification and learning early warning, and is of great significance to help teachers understand students’ emotional states in distance learning and promote students’ deep participation in the distance learning process. Full article
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17 pages, 903 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Kindergarten Parents’ Acceptance of Unplugged Programming Language Courses: An Extension of Theory of Planned Behavior
by Yu-Chun Huang and Peirchyi Lii
Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1347; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021347 - 10 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1351
Abstract
The changing economic environment in Taiwan has led to an increase in the structure of double-income families. To compensate for the lack of time to take care of their children and the regret of their learning process, parents will send their children to [...] Read more.
The changing economic environment in Taiwan has led to an increase in the structure of double-income families. To compensate for the lack of time to take care of their children and the regret of their learning process, parents will send their children to kindergarten early. Parents choose to expose their children to better education and learning models because they do not want their children to get behind at the starting point. The newly introduced unplugged programming language curriculum can develop children’s logical and computational thinking skills to face future learning and employment skills in information and communications technology-related industries. The purpose of this study is to examine the parental acceptance of unplugged programming language courses and to analyze the relationship between the variables in the study framework to understand influencing factors. The theoretical basis of the study is the planned behavior theory. This study replaces behavioral intention with parents’ acceptance and establishes a basic framework of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. The study framework is established by combining the factors of expectation and compensation as antecedent variables of attitude. An online e-questionnaire is distributed to parents of children aged 5–6 years old in Taiwan to collect data. The structural equation model is conducted on 489 data points. Results of the study reveal that expectation and compensation have a significant effect on attitude. Attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control have a significant positive effect on family acceptance of unplugged programming language. Furthermore, the expectation and compensation psychology affect the parental acceptance of unplugged language programs through attitude. Finally, practical applications and future research directions regarding the promotion of unplugged programming language for young children are provided. Full article
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22 pages, 1842 KiB  
Article
Predictors Influencing Urban and Rural Area students to Use Tablet Computers as Learning Tools: Combination of UTAUT and TTF Models
by Fang Wang, Tommy Tanu Wijaya, Akhmad Habibi and Yixuan Liu
Sustainability 2022, 14(21), 13965; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su142113965 - 27 Oct 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2070
Abstract
University students use various ICT-based media a goal to help them learn. The Chinese government is also increasing the use of ICT tools in the education sector because they relate to university students’ learning outcomes. Several universities in China provide tablet computer facilities [...] Read more.
University students use various ICT-based media a goal to help them learn. The Chinese government is also increasing the use of ICT tools in the education sector because they relate to university students’ learning outcomes. Several universities in China provide tablet computer facilities as learning tools for their university students. These learning tools are widely used in the country because they have many benefits in educational settings. For instance, they are paperless, practical, and portable and support sustainable education. Although tablets provide many benefits, their use as learning tools is not necessarily accepted by university students. Knowing the factors influencing the intention to use them as a learning tool increases their effective utilization by college university students. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors predicted to relate to the intention and actual usage of tablet computers by university students in urban and rural areas. It combined the TTF model and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT-2). The study sample comprised 232 university students in rural and 214 university students in urban areas. Data were analyzed using the partial least squares statistical technique to examine the structural model and test the initial hypothesis. The results showed that the intention of university students in the village to use tablet computers as learning media is influenced by hedonic motivation and task technology fit. In contrast, habit and task technology fit is the most significant factor for university students in urban areas to use tablet computers as learning tools. Full article
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19 pages, 621 KiB  
Article
Accessing the Influence of User Relationship Bonds on Continuance Intention in Livestream E-Commerce
by Din Jong, Yafen Tseng and Tzongsong Wang
Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 5979; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14105979 - 14 May 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2420
Abstract
With the rapid development of livestream e-commerce, enhancing user’s continuous use of livestream e-commerce has become a focus of livestream e-commerce operators, but the mechanisms have not gone through much exploration by which relationship bonds affect continuance intention. Therefore, this study proposes and [...] Read more.
With the rapid development of livestream e-commerce, enhancing user’s continuous use of livestream e-commerce has become a focus of livestream e-commerce operators, but the mechanisms have not gone through much exploration by which relationship bonds affect continuance intention. Therefore, this study proposes and validates a new theoretical model based on relational bonds to systematically investigate the relationship between relational bonds, cumulative satisfaction and continuance intention in livestream e-commerce scenario, and discusses the boundary role of affective commitment in it. A valid sample of 546 livestream e-commerce users was used for structural equation modeling analysis. The results found that the effects of social bonds and structural bonds on cumulative satisfaction were significant, but the effects of financial bonds were not significant; the effects of cumulative satisfaction on continuance intention were significant; and affective commitment had a positive moderating effect on the relationship between cumulative satisfaction and continuance intention. This study examines the practical effects of continuance intention of livestream e-commerce users and provides a reference for the operation management and business practice of livestream e-commerce. Full article
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18 pages, 1290 KiB  
Article
Knowledge Co-Creation during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Dual-Regulated Learning Model in Virtual Hospitality Communities
by Meng-Jun Hsu, Ming-Chia Hsieh and Emmanuel Kwame Opoku
Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4664; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14084664 - 13 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1458
Abstract
The evolution of the internet has increased the development of virtual communities. This has created an enabling environment for hospitality industry owners to interact, share and exchange information and ideas virtually. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a further catalyst in the dramatic expansion [...] Read more.
The evolution of the internet has increased the development of virtual communities. This has created an enabling environment for hospitality industry owners to interact, share and exchange information and ideas virtually. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a further catalyst in the dramatic expansion of virtual communities. This study aims to fill the gap by investigating the adoption of professional knowledge by the hospitality industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a sample of 285 members, this study found that self- and socially regulated learning affects knowledge adoption outcomes. In addition, technological innovation and benefits affect self- and socially regulated learning. These findings allow us to provide theoretical and practical implications. Full article
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16 pages, 1659 KiB  
Article
China’s River Chief Policy and the Sustainable Development Goals: Prefecture-Level Evidence from the Yangtze River Economic Belt
by Yufeng Wang, Tao Wu and Mengke Huang
Sustainability 2022, 14(6), 3357; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14063357 - 13 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1965
Abstract
The River Chief Policy (RCP), an institutional innovation in China by which top party and government officials assume responsibility for water management, shapes the incentive structure of local governments and may have a huge influence on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a [...] Read more.
The River Chief Policy (RCP), an institutional innovation in China by which top party and government officials assume responsibility for water management, shapes the incentive structure of local governments and may have a huge influence on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a staggered difference-in-difference approach and panel data from 91 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, we estimate the impact of the RCP on an SDG index with eight local-specific indicators. The estimation results show that the RCP has improved the overall SDG index and significantly improved the levels of innovation, education, and consumption. Heterogeneity tests show that more affluent regions are more committed to investing in education, raising consumption, and increasing wages under the RCP. These results suggest that local governments in China have responded rationally and strategically to the RCP. In general, economic growth remains the central goal of local governments, while the strengthening of other responsibilities such as environmental protection will lead to more effort being made to achieve the SDGs during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article
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20 pages, 3469 KiB  
Article
Evaluation and Influencing Factors of China’s Agricultural Productivity from the Perspective of Environmental Constraints
by Yanling Chen, Weiwei Fu and Jingyun Wang
Sustainability 2022, 14(5), 2807; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14052807 - 28 Feb 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2192
Abstract
Based on provincial panel data for the past 15 years in China, the SBM-ML index method was used to measure agricultural productivity under the environmental-constraint perspective with agricultural surface source pollution as the non-desired output. A dynamic panel regression model was used to [...] Read more.
Based on provincial panel data for the past 15 years in China, the SBM-ML index method was used to measure agricultural productivity under the environmental-constraint perspective with agricultural surface source pollution as the non-desired output. A dynamic panel regression model was used to empirically analyze the factors influencing agricultural productivity to provide a reference for formulating policies to alleviate the conflict between economic development and environmental pollution. The results show that the green total factor productivity of Chinese agriculture exhibits a slow, incremental trend year by year. The growth of green total factor productivity in agriculture mainly comes from the increase in the rate of green technological progress. In terms of geographical disparity, the eastern, central, and western regions show a high-to-low gradient of agricultural green total factor productivity. Agricultural green total factor productivity showed a significant positive spatial correlation in some years. As for the influencing factors, foreign trade in agricultural products is conducive to enhancing green total factor productivity in agriculture, whereas foreign direct investment in agriculture and agricultural technology input inhibit the growth of green total factor productivity in agriculture. This research also found a significant U-shaped relationship between environmental management inputs and green total factor productivity in agriculture. Accordingly, suggestions are provided to optimize the international trade structure of agricultural products, selectively introduce high-quality green foreign investment projects, drive the efficiency of R&D investment through digital technology, and increase investment in special funds for agricultural pollution control. Full article
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17 pages, 558 KiB  
Article
Review of Behavioral Psychology in Transition to Solar Photovoltaics for Low-Income Individuals
by Fransisca Angelica Rahardja, Shih-Chih Chen and Untung Rahardja
Sustainability 2022, 14(3), 1537; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14031537 - 28 Jan 2022
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 3183
Abstract
The increase in nonrenewable energy (non-RE) has been a growing concern for low-income individuals’ quality of life, health, economy, and environment. At the same time, the use of non-RE is also a great concern for the whole population as we are breathing the [...] Read more.
The increase in nonrenewable energy (non-RE) has been a growing concern for low-income individuals’ quality of life, health, economy, and environment. At the same time, the use of non-RE is also a great concern for the whole population as we are breathing the same environment. The photovoltaics (PV) solar panel is one solution to decrease low-income individuals’ energy bills and increase the quality of life of all individuals. Knowing the behavioral theory of why low-income individuals do not adopt PV would allow further insights and possible interventions to help low-income individuals install PV. Research has found that low-income individuals are more likely to have financial and knowledge barriers that hinder them from installing PV. Providing a way for low-income individuals to combat these barriers would help them to use PV. This review showed that low-income individuals are likely to benefit from policy programs that incentivize them to use PV. More knowledge about PV can also be aided by policy programs that inform low-income individuals how to save financially and at the same time work their way to install PV. Social groups could also be formed in the same policy programs to help low-income individuals share strategies on saving financially and knowledge about the benefit of installing PV. These social groups can act as a social reinforcement to low-income individuals to install PV. Helping low-income individuals to install PV would help low-income individuals financially and improve the population’s quality of life. Full article
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16 pages, 869 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Impact of Positive Implicit Followership towards Employees’ Feedback-Seeking: Based on the Social Information Processing Perspective
by Wei Zhang, Xuejun Wang and Dingnan Xie
Sustainability 2021, 13(23), 13417; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su132313417 - 03 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1670
Abstract
Amid the growth of COVID-19 pandemic, SMEs are facing greater uncertainties and pressures to survive because even though they are efficiently managed, their human resource organizations lack a large number of resources and a well-developed training system to foster the sustainable development of [...] Read more.
Amid the growth of COVID-19 pandemic, SMEs are facing greater uncertainties and pressures to survive because even though they are efficiently managed, their human resource organizations lack a large number of resources and a well-developed training system to foster the sustainable development of employees. Employees are important assets of the company, and their continuous growth and development are keys to the survival of the company. In this context, the individual worker’s assessment of his or her job role and how the assessments drive the employee to exhibit an appropriate proactive work behavior are particularly important. Previous research has typically focused on how organizations and leaders perceive employees but has rarely explored employees’ own implicit followership cognitive states. This study integrates the traits of positive implicit followership of employees, namely, industry trait, enthusiasm trait, and good citizen trait, with perceived supervisor support (PSS) and feedback-seeking behavior (FSB) into one research framework. In this study, 207 valid questionnaires were collected by using offline convenience sampling, and structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was conducted. The results show that employees’ industry traits directly and positively influence FSB, while enthusiasm traits and good citizen traits have no direct effect on promoting FSB. In addition, industry trait, enthusiasm trait, and good citizen trait significantly and positively influence PSS, with good citizen trait having the greatest positive effect on PSS. Furthermore, PSS has a significant positive effect on FSB. Finally, PSS was found to mediate between industry traits and FSB. Corresponding to the results of the study, the actions shaping employees’ positive implicit followership cognition and forming a good supportive atmosphere to promote employees’ performance of more feedback-seeking behaviors are recommended. Full article
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11 pages, 678 KiB  
Communication
Digital Transformation and the New Normal in China: How Can Enterprises Use Digital Technologies to Respond to COVID-19?
by Ching-Hung Lee, Dianni Wang, Kevin C. Desouza and Richard Evans
Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10195; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su131810195 - 13 Sep 2021
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 5369
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, a worldwide health and humanitarian crisis, has created unique challenges for citizens, governments, and organizations alike. Business leaders ask ‘what is the new normal, post-pandemic?’ while industries become more complex and uncertain. Premises sit empty, employees work remotely, and customers [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic, a worldwide health and humanitarian crisis, has created unique challenges for citizens, governments, and organizations alike. Business leaders ask ‘what is the new normal, post-pandemic?’ while industries become more complex and uncertain. Premises sit empty, employees work remotely, and customers possess less disposable income. However bleak, opportunities do exist. Organizations will, however, need to transform. Technology will need to be used to respond to the pandemic, and organizations must re-structure to better function. This paper examines the role that digital technologies can play in responding to pandemics and outlines four classifications of digital technologies for pandemic response. An as-is/to-be pathway analysis is presented using case studies from Chinese enterprises to provide trajectory guidance for moving forward to the new normal. After analysis from an incorporated technology-centric and business model-based framework perspective, six fundamental enterprise strategies are presented that are derived from literature and empirical observations. Full article
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