Digital Transformation and the New Normal in China: How Can Enterprises Use Digital Technologies to Respond to COVID-19?

Ching-Hung Lee, Dianni Wang, Kevin C. Desouza and Richard Evans
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Ching-Hung Lee: School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Dianni Wang: School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Kevin C. Desouza: QUT Business School, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
Richard Evans: Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 18, 1-11

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 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.

Keywords: COVID-19; post-pandemic; new normal; digital technologies; pandemic response; digital transformation strategies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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