Digital Economy. Emerging Technologies and Business Innovation

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Frontmatter

2. Digital Governance and Public Policy

   1. Frontmatter

   2. Digital Transformation in the Public Sector: Unlocking Trends, Opportunities and Governance Insights

      Oana-Ramona Lobonț, Andreea-Florentina Crăciun, Cristian Barbu, Ana-Cristina Nicolescu, Sorana Vătavu

      Abstract

      Digital transformation involves significant changes within institutions or organisations. This paper focuses on the impact and opportunities of digital transformation in the public sector, presenting a bibliometric study that captures the general trends in the research on this topic. By examining 655 documents from the Web of Science database, from a performance and science mapping perspective, the study identifies key trends, influential authors and institutions contributing to this evolving field. We find that digital transformation in the public sector should be examined from both the innovation standpoint and the management of the transformation process. These insights offer valuable guidance for policymakers and researchers aiming to harness digital technologies for more resilient and efficient governance, focusing on economic recovery and stability, mitigating climate change risks for environmental sustainability, and ensuring social equity.

   3. In Search of the Nature of the Relationship Between Digitalization and Economic Growth: An Approach to the Case of African Countries

      Safa Benazzouz, Hicham Sadok

      Abstract

      Digital connectivity is increasingly identified as one of the prominent sources of economic productivity and growth. This article studies the effect of digitalization on economic growth, on the one hand, in the six regions of the world (Africa, Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Arab States and CIS) during the period 1990–2023, and on the other hand, by focusing on 46 African developing countries during the period 2006–2023. For this purpose, we used a panel data analysis based on econometric techniques such as the GMM process.

      The results obtained underlined a statistically significant link between digitalization and its impact on economic growth for some regions of the world, notably the Americas, the Arab States and the CIS. In contrast, for our sample of 46 African countries, the variables measuring digitalization have a mixed impact on the generation and sustainability of economic growth: the more investments and digitalization indicators progress, the more the variation in the economic growth rate decreases. On the other hand, more than the effects of digitalization, the degree of trade openness of developing countries remains strongly correlated with GDP per capita. These results are empirically validated and were compared with the results of other research, differentiating between regions and levels of economic income.

   4. Governance and Digitalization: Exploring the Impact of E-Government Development on Sustainability Metrics

      Adriana AnaMaria Davidescu, Ioana Birlan, Eduard Mihai Manta

      Abstract

      Sovereign ESG scores are widely used to assess a country’s sustainability, resilience, and institutional strength. However, they often overlook a crucial dimension—digitalization. As governments increasingly rely on digital tools to enhance transparency, efficiency, and public service delivery, their capacity to achieve sustainable development has become closely tied to their e-government capabilities. This study investigates whether digital governance, measured by the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), should be integrated into sovereign ESG assessments. Using panel data from 2003 to 2021 across multiple countries, we examine the relationship between EGDI and national sustainability, as captured by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index. By combining traditional governance indicators from the World Bank Sovereign ESG Portal with digitalization metrics such as online services, telecommunication infrastructure, and human capital, we employ machine learning methods to evaluate their predictive contribution. The results reveal that e-government has a significant and positive impact on sustainability outcomes, underscoring the importance of incorporating digitalization into ESG frameworks. As digital transformation reshapes governance, ESG assessments must evolve accordingly to offer a more accurate depiction of a nation’s long-term stability and its capacity to address economic, social, and environmental challenges.

   5. Enhancing Governance: How Secure Internet Servers Drive Anti-corruption and Strengthen Government Effectiveness

      Mohammad Makki, Danielle Khalife

      Abstract

      Secure Internet Servers (SIS) are critical systems designed to protect online data and communications through the implementation of advanced encryption technologies, including Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS). These servers play a fundamental role in fighting corruption by fostering transparency, accountability, and public trust. Secure internet servers facilitate the development of open data platforms and e-government services, enabling governments to host transparent public records and deliver online services, while reducing the need for face-to-face interactions which also mitigates opportunities for bribery and other corrupt practices.

      This paper empirically examines the dynamic relationships between SIS and two key governance indicators: Government Effectiveness (GE) and Control of Corruption (CoC) using panel data from 185 countries over the period 2010–2020. By employing Vector Error Correction Models (VECMs), the paper reveals that SIS significantly contributes to reducing corruption in both the short and long run by fostering transparency, automating processes, and reducing opportunities for discretionary abuses. However, the findings of the VECM didn’t provide evidence of a direct causal relationship between SIS and government effectiveness, highlighting the necessity of complementary institutional and policy reforms to enhance their impact. Yet, and with further investigation, the panel fixed effect regression indicated that government effectiveness directly strengthens and widens SIS. These results underscore the dual role of SIS as a foundational component of e-governance and a critical enabler of anti-corruption measures. The paper provides actionable insights for policymakers on integrating SIS investments with institutional reforms to achieve sustainable governance improvements.

3. Cross-Domain AI Innovations

   1. Frontmatter

   2. Cost-Efficient AI for Alzheimer’s Detection: A Dynamic Dropout Approach for E-Health

      Marwa Ben Gara Ali, Abir Smiti

      Abstract

      Alzheimer’s disease (AD) strains healthcare systems worldwide, generating annual costs exceeding $1 trillion. Early detection through MRI segmentation can improve patient outcomes and reduce long-term expenses, but traditional deep-learning approaches require expensive infrastructures and fail to adapt to multi-scanner variability. We propose a Hybrid Dynamic Dropout(HDD) framework for 3D U-Nets that cuts computational overhead by up to 40% while preserving high segmentation accuracy. Our method fuses three dropout strategies (loss-based, variance-based, and gradient-based) with a confidence-gated module targeting uncertain regions, plus a domain-adaptive regularization term for cross-hospital data. In tests on the ADNI dataset, we reach a Dice score of 0.90 on hippocampal segmentation, using 35% less GPU memory compared to standard models. Beyond technical gains, economic analyses indicate potential annual savings of $2.8 M for a mid-sized hospital network, factoring in reduced hardware investments, streamlined operational costs, and improved diagnostic workflows. This synergy of clinical accuracy, computational efficiency, and economic feasibility positions our framework as a sustainable e-health solution for large-scale AD screening and monitoring.

   3. Mental Health Resource Retrieval Using Semantic Similarity and Knowledge Graphs

      Varshini Prakash, Mohamad Ali Gharaat, Alex Lambe Foster, Dylan Merrick, Emilie Desnoyers, Jasmine M. Noble, Ken Porter, Andrew J. Greenshaw, Osmar R. Zaiane

      Abstract

      As unmet mental health needs continue to rise, challenges in accessing and navigating resources and services remain a significant barrier to finding effective care. To address this challenge, MIRA, an AI-driven mental health virtual assistant, was developed [1], along with the MIRA library—a curated database of vetted mental health resources. This paper details the methods for designing an intelligent resource retrieval system that processes queries from a chatbot to identify relevant resources from our library. The proposed method combines term frequency and sentence embeddings to create vector representations of queries to perform similarity search for resource ranking. In addition, we incorporate query relaxation to leverage ontology-based hierarchical relationships. This ensures broader, yet contextually relevant search results. The proposed retrieval method outperforms traditional keyword-based and BERT-based methods in precision, as shown through our evaluation. The design and implementation of the ranking algorithm are detailed, including the construction of a knowledge graph and the integration of TF-IDF (Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency) based scoring. MIRA leverages the proposed retrieval method to rank resources effectively, recognizing user needs and connecting them to the most relevant support. By doing so, MIRA aims to bridge the gaps in traditional mental health care and improve accessibility.

   4. Enhancing Financial Sentiment Analysis with FinBERT and RoBERTa: A Fine-Grained Approach to Market Predictions

      Chayma Zaâbi, Imen Boukhris

      Abstract

      Financial sentiment analysis plays a crucial role in understanding how investor sentiment, news coverage, and social media discussions impact financial markets. As market decisions are increasingly driven by information, accurately capturing sentiment from financial texts becomes essential for making informed predictions. However, the specialized language and subtle nuances of financial texts pose significant challenges for traditional sentiment analysis methods, often leading to misclassifications. In this work, we propose FinRoBERT-FSA, a fine-grained sentiment analysis approach that leverages the strengths of FinBERT, a domain-specific language model, and RoBERTa, known for its deep contextual understanding. By combining these two models, FinRoBERT-FSA captures subtle variations in sentiment while addressing the complexities of financial terminology. Experimental results on the Financial PhraseBank dataset demonstrate that our model achieves 97% accuracy, significantly outperforming traditional approaches like TF-IDF, Word2Vec, and lexicon-based methods. These findings underscore the effectiveness of model fusion in enhancing sentiment analysis for the financial domain.

   5. Comparative Analysis of Reinforcement Learning Algorithms for Autonomous Driving in Simulated 2D Environments: Optimizing Reward Functions and Hyperparameters

      Alexander Brunner, Gabriele Kotsis, Ismail Khalil

      Abstract

      This paper presents a comparative analysis of reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms, specifically Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) and Deep Q-Network (DQN), for autonomous driving in simulated 2D environments. The study focuses on optimizing reward functions and hyperparameters to enhance road navigation and obstacle avoidance. Our experiments show that DQN generally outperforms PPO in simple environments, while fine-tuning reward structures and hyperparameters significantly impacts the learning process. Techniques such as frame stacking and curriculum learning further improve performance.

4. Social Media, Responsibility and Digital Leadership

   1. Frontmatter

   2. Exploring Travelers’ Brand Personalities on Social Media

      Siri Jemth Davidsson, Odessa Schönbeck, Sven Packmohr

      Abstract

      Social Media has changed how individuals share experiences, especially regarding their travels. Instagram is one of the most prominent social media platforms, and it is popular due to its focus on visually appealing content. This study explores how backpackers in Costa Rica share their experiences on Instagram. Ten backpacking respondents were interviewed on-site in Costa Rica to achieve this exploration. The data was analyzed using the well-established brand personality framework. The leading brand personality dimensions were excitement, sincerity, and ruggedness. While excitement and ruggedness are context-bound, sincerity is a more generic dimension. Destination managers can use these results to evaluate how they best connect their destinations to these dimensions. Congruent management can enhance travelers’ sharing and engagement with their audience on social media.

   3. Should Credit Applications Always Be Humanized? An Analysis of the Moroccan Credit Market

      Brahim Sabiri, Asmaa Benhmama

      Abstract

      The article explores the impact of digitalization on the credit application process in Morocco, comparing traditional and digital channels. A survey conducted with 583 indebted Moroccan individuals identifies three categories of variables influencing the preference for a credit channel: personal, technical, and psychological. The results reveal that young, educated borrowers who are familiar with technology tend to favor digital channels for their speed and simplicity. Conversely, older borrowers, those perceiving financial threats, or those applying for high loan amounts prefer visiting physical branches to benefit from personalized assistance. While digital channels enhance accessibility and reduce costs, they also introduce increased risks, particularly in terms of information asymmetry and credit risk. The reliance on self-reported data and automated algorithms may lead to an underestimation of actual risks, while the simplicity of the digital process can encourage impulsive borrowing. To mitigate these risks, the study recommends a hybrid approach that combines digitalization with human interaction, along with strengthening banking supervision and improving organizational agility to ensure effective long-term risk management.

   4. Social Responsibility and its Relationship with Innovation and Technology in SMEs in Arequipa, Peru

      Erika Velásquez Chacón

      Abstract

      The study highlights economic, social and environmental factors versus performance, innovation and competitive success, strategic and key issues for sustainable development and digital transformation, based on environmental, technological and organizational factors to boost the sustainability of SMEs in emerging economies, delves into corporate social responsibility, in that framework the prospects of digitization and sustainability can enhance the competitiveness of enterprises. The research was at the explanatory level to explain the effect of causal variables on business success. on business success. Likewise, the approach to be used is the non-experimental quantitative cross-sectional design. For data analysis, first the validity of the data will be determined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to determine construct validity, followed by the partial least squares technique of equation modeling. The unit of analysis consisted of 529 SMES in the Province of Arequipa, Peru.

      The results indicate that, when analyzing the dimensions of competitive responsibility separately, the impact on competitive success is more complex in SMEs in Arequipa. However, its socials and economic dimensions do have a significant impact, albeit with opposing effects. All dimensions of CSR affect innovation and technology, while only the social and environmental dimensions impact performance. Finally, innovation, technology, and performance are key determinants of competitive success.

   5. Digital Leadership and its Link to Digital Performance in MSME Employees in Arequipa, Peru: The Mediating Effect of Human Resource Management and Dynamic Capabilities

      Erika Velásquez Chacón

      Abstract

      In today's rapidly evolving business environment, digital leadership and digital performance are key focus areas for organizations seeking to maintain a competitive edge. The study analyzes the relationship between digital leadership and digital performance in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Arequipa, Peru, highlighting the mediating role of high involvement human resource management (HI-HRMP), and Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT). in this regard raises the question does digital leadership drive digital transformation and improve employee performance through the use of digital technologies.

      The research was of explanatory level, a non-experimental quantitative cross-sectional design to explain the variable causality effect on digital performance. For the data analysis, its validity will first be determined through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to determine the construct validity, then the Partial Least Squares technique of structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was carried out to evaluate the causality of the proposed model, a mediation analysis was carried out using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) technique with Jamovi 2.6.19 software.

      Also, the approach to be used is quantitative non-experimental-transversal design, The unit of analysis consisted of 378 MSMEs in the Province of Arequipa, Peru. The results indicate that there is no significant direct relationship between digital leadership and digital performance. However, digital leadership positively influences human resource management and the development of dynamic capabilities, both factors with a direct impact on digital performance. In addition, job satisfaction is identified as a key factor connecting digital leadership with better performance outcomes.

5. Informal Markets and Platform Economies

   1. Frontmatter

   2. Value Creation in Marketplace Platforms: A Business Model Approach

      Ilyass Zeamari

      Abstract

      This study addresses a critical gap in platform research by exploring how stakeholder relationships within platform business models create value and contribute to sustainable development. Prior studies have mainly focused on economic factors such as pricing strategies, cost reduction, and network effects to explain value creation. In contrast, this research integrates economic, relational, and nonfinancial dimensions of value creation. Guided by the research question: how do stakeholder relationships in a platform business model contribute to sustainable value creation? This study adopts a conceptual approach, drawing on the platform business model and the trust and reputation literature. A novel framework is proposed, emphasizing how collaboration among stakeholders enhances both platform performance and its contributions to broader sustainable development goals. The findings advance the theoretical understanding by linking platform strategies to sustainability outcomes while offering actionable insights for managers to improve stakeholder collaboration and ecosystem resilience. This framework serves as a foundation for future empirical validation and research on sustainable value creation in digital platforms.

   3. Digital Technologies and Informal Market Transactions: Who Buys and What Drives Their Choices?

      Rim Jallouli, Adriana AnaMaria Davidescu, Eduard Mihai Manta, Marina-Diana Agafiţei

      Abstract

      This research is motivated by the growing intersection between digitalisation and informal economic activity in the European Union. Despite the expansion of other distribution channels, informal markets remain prevalent in numerous economies, making it crucial to understand the drivers of purchasing decisions in these markets. This empirical investigation seeks to bridge an existing gap in literature by identifying the key determinants of purchasing behavior in informal markets with the advent of digital technologies, while also examining the influence of socio-demographic factors. To achieve this, the study builds a purchasing decision-making framework particularly to informal markets by blending socio-demographic variables from the Undeclared Work Eurobarometer with digital technology adoption variables from the Digital Technologies Eurobarometer. The large-scale datasets are harmonized by employing statistical matching techniques to establish a common analytical framework. Moreover, Random Forest and other machine learning approaches are employed to validate the model. The results highlight the role of digital infrastructure and accessibility and offer a comprehensive view of all socio-demographic characteristics that interact with digitalization to understand the informal market dynamics in detail. These findings contribute to the academic discourse and provide evidence-based insights for policymakers seeking to regulate and integrate informal transactions into an increasingly digitalised world economy.

   4. Mapping Carpooling Research: A Bibliometric Insight

      Yasmine Ammar, Ahmed Derbel, Younes Boujelben

      Abstract

      This article offers a bibliometric analysis of the advances in carpooling research. By examining 519 publications using the Bibliometrix package Biblioshiny by R. This study provides an overview of the major scientific contributions in this field. The results reveal that the main contributing countries are the United States, China, Germany and France. In addition, the most influential institutions, journals and keywords are discussed. The main research themes focus on system optimization, factors influencing adoption, environmental and societal impacts, as well as new mobility dynamics, particularly with the rise of digital carpooling platforms. The growing interest in automated systems and innovative solutions for shared mobility is also noted. This analysis provides valuable insight to guide future research and development of ride-sharing systems.

   5. Shadow Economies in the Digital Age: A LASSO Approach to Measuring the Impact of Digitalization on Informality in Central and Eastern European Countries

      Marina-Diana Agafiţei, Maria-Bianca Bolboaşă, Adriana AnaMaria Davidescu

      Abstract

      In the study, LASSO regression analysis is employed to analyze the impact of digitalization on the informal economy in Central and Eastern Europe by utilizing a dataset from 2005–2022 for 11 countries. The four models used for analysis provided strong and consistent evidence that the governance factors, particularly the rule of law, had the most significant (negative) impact on the size of the informal economy. In contrast, digitalization variables such as Mobile Cellular Subscriptions and Internet Usage, although stable across all models, displayed comparatively minor impacts. Not only were these findings consistent and robust, but they also emphasized the dominant role of governance structures over digital interventions in reducing informality. The study strongly suggests that future efforts to address the issue of the informal economy must include strengthening legal frameworks alongside promoting digital transformations, in order to make these more effective in addressing the informal economy.