Digital Transformation of Enterprises and Employment in Technologically Advanced and Knowledge-Intensive Sectors in the European Union Countries

Elżbieta Sobczak ()
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Elżbieta Sobczak: Department of Regional Economy, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, Nowowiejska 3, 58-500 Jelenia Góra, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-40

Abstract: The digital transformation of enterprises constitutes a crucial element of modernization processes in the countries of the European Union, supporting the achievement of sustainable development goals through increased innovation, economic efficiency and the development of high-tech sectors and knowledge-intensive services. In empirical analyses, multidimensional statistical analysis methods were applied, with particular emphasis on linear ordering, classification methods and regression analysis. Ten monitoring indicators adopted by the European Union constitute the basis for assessing the digital transformation advancement of enterprises. The study classified EU countries into three groups according to the level of digital transformation: low, medium and high. Based on the employment structure in high-tech manufacturing, medium–high-tech manufacturing and knowledge-intensive services, four distinct types of employment structures were identified. A positive relationship was found between the level of digital transformation and the share of employment in knowledge-intensive services, while no significant relationship was observed for the other sectors. The study shows that the EU countries are clearly differentiated both in terms of the level of digital transformation of enterprises and the structure of employment in high-tech manufacturing, medium–high-tech manufacturing and knowledge-intensive services. A higher level of digital transformation supports the growth of employment in knowledge-intensive services, while its impact on high-tech and medium–high-tech manufacturing remains limited.

Keywords: digital transformation; employment; technologically advanced and knowledge-intensive sectors; SDGs; economy; European Union countries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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