INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHANGES IN EDUCATION
Review
May 26, 2025 1 0

Accelerated Digital Transformation of Higher Education in the Wake of COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review

María Luisa Nieto-Taborda 1 * ,
Rocci Luppicini 2 *
1 Digital Transformation and Innovation, University of Ottawa, Canada2 Department of Communication, University of Ottawa, Canada* Corresponding Author
International Journal of Changes in Education, 2(2), 2025, 123-138, https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42023125
Publication date: May 26, 2025
Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation (DT) across various industries, including higher education (HE). In response to the dynamic demands of contemporary society, higher education institutions (HEIs) must swiftly adapt and transform. However, existing research has revealed a prevalent lack of strategic vision regarding DT in HE, often limited to the mere integration of technology. This study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) as a methodological framework to identify and categorize DT challenges and strategies within HE accelerated after the pandemic event. Findings from this SLR highlight four distinct categories of challenges and strategies in DT: Strategic-Administrative, Teaching-Learning, Technical-Technological, and Social-Cultural. Notably, the literature tends to focus more on identifying challenges, revealing an unbalanced emphasis compared to analyzing how HEIs are actively progressing in their DT efforts. Furthermore, there is a significant absence of impact analysis regarding these DT strategies within HE. To address these gaps, recommendations for future research are proposed, including (i) Exploration of strategic processes in HE toward DT, (ii) Empirical analysis of the Digital Maturity of HEIs, and (iii) Assessment of the impact of the strategic responses of HE toward DT. In conclusion, this study underscores the urgency for a more strategic approach to DT in HE, emphasizing the need to shift the focus from technology integration toward holistic, effective, and outcome-driven strategies. These recommendations aim to guide future research toward a more interdisciplinary and comprehensive understanding of DT within the realm of HE.

KEYWORDS

digital transformation higher education Education 4.0

CITATION (APA)

Nieto-Taborda, M. L., & Luppicini, R. (2025). Accelerated Digital Transformation of Higher Education in the Wake of COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Changes in Education, 2(2), 123-138. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42023125
Harvard
Nieto-Taborda, M. L., and Luppicini, R. (2025). Accelerated Digital Transformation of Higher Education in the Wake of COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Changes in Education, 2(2), pp. 123-138. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42023125
Vancouver
Nieto-Taborda ML, Luppicini R. Accelerated Digital Transformation of Higher Education in the Wake of COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2025;2(2):123-38. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42023125
AMA
Nieto-Taborda ML, Luppicini R. Accelerated Digital Transformation of Higher Education in the Wake of COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2025;2(2), 123-138. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42023125
Chicago
Nieto-Taborda, María Luisa, and Rocci Luppicini. "Accelerated Digital Transformation of Higher Education in the Wake of COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review". International Journal of Changes in Education 2025 2 no. 2 (2025): 123-138. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42023125
MLA
Nieto-Taborda, María Luisa et al. "Accelerated Digital Transformation of Higher Education in the Wake of COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review". International Journal of Changes in Education, vol. 2, no. 2, 2025, pp. 123-138. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE42023125

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