Digital Communication in Higher Education Settings: A Pilot Study on Students’ Behavioural Trends

Ionuț Laurențiu Petre, Diana Andreia Hristache, Monica Maria Dobrescu, Alexandra Constantin (), Edi-Cristian Dumitra and Cezara-Georgiana Radu
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Ionuț Laurențiu Petre: Department of Agrifood and Environmental Economics, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania
Diana Andreia Hristache: Department of Economic Doctrines and Communication, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania
Monica Maria Dobrescu: Department of Economic Doctrines and Communication, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania
Alexandra Constantin: Department of Economic Doctrines and Communication, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania
Edi-Cristian Dumitra: Department of Economic Doctrines and Communication, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania
Cezara-Georgiana Radu: Department of Economic Doctrines and Communication, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: In the present research paper, we argue that digital transformation and students’ behavioural trends are intertwined through the increasing integration of digital technology tools into both academic and personal communication contexts. We construct our argument through a rigorous methodological approach employing quantitative and qualitative analyses, including ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, chi-squared, and multiple regression models, to assess the main predictors of digital communication satisfaction and engagement. Hence, we emphasise distinctly the diverse roles of digital communication platforms as relating to the expression of students’ engagement and adaptability, beyond mere technological adoption. While investigating the role of behavioural economics in modelling students’ engagement with digital technologies, we examine the impact of digitalisation on students’ communication patterns, both in terms of personal and academic purposes. To measure student engagement, we employ a mixed-methods approach by carrying out a pilot study (N = 167). The findings underline the role of digital transformation in enhancing students’ access to learning, communication, and collaboration tools, while they also align with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education). Our intention is to develop a more comprehensive model that integrates behavioural insights with technology acceptance theories, while another further direction could be exploring longitudinal data to assess the long-term impacts of digital tools on student engagement and learning outcomes.

Keywords: higher education; digitalisation; students; digital communication; behavioural economics; SDG; pilot study (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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