Guest editorial: Digital transformation and environmental sustainability in emerging markets: challenges and opportunities – a wake-up call to the “Global North” Free

Yuan Zhai is an emerging researcher, Zhai have several research projects which are currently at the stage of work-in-progress, due to be submitted by the end of 2023 or early 2024. Zhai aim to advance ethical, inclusive approaches to digital innovation that improve societal outcomes. Through interdisciplinary projects, Zhai plan to explore strategies for applying technologies like AI and data analytics to create sustainable solutions centred on positive social impact. Zhai’s goal is to conduct community-engaged research that provides guidance for purpose-driven organisations on leveraging technology to advance justice, sustainability and shared prosperity.

Prof Jessica Lichy is a researcher focused on responsible technology deployment, Lichy’s publications over the past decade have examined digital transformation barriers and unintended consequences from a user perspective. This includes studying the blurring of professional-personal boundaries in online contexts as well as potential misuse of big data analytics. Lichy’s current research traces emerging trends in 21st century technology-enhanced work-life balance, explaining sustainable strategies that promote employee wellbeing, ethical data usage and organisational transformation. By highlighting risks and best practices, Lichy’s goal is to enable organisations to leverage digital solutions to drive social inclusion, human welfare and environmental sustainability.

Derek Watson a track impact record in terms of applied international consultancy and research/conference papers in organisational transformational change and quality compliance strategies and cultural barriers to enable sustainable development. Watson’s current work involves developing innovative food safety compliance models that identify core challenges for companies seeking to implement sustainable practices. By conducting food safety impact studies spanning diverse regions from Inner Mongolia to Panama, Watson hope to generate transferable insights on how to leverage organisational change strategies to advance corporate sustainability worldwide.

Wei Guan’s recent publications focus on the determinants and consequences of digital technology adoption in supply chain. Guan is developing new research projects that examine whether and how the adoption of digital technology shapes corporate social responsibility (CSR). Guan’s work provides evidence that with the introduction of technologies, such as the Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence and blockchain, companies can improve their pollution control capabilities and internal control efficiency, thereby improving CSR performance.