This article presents a comparative assessment of digital transformation pathways in ASEAN economies, taking into account both the level and the structural composition of digitalization within the region. The study draws on internationally comparable data and advances an original temporal–taxonomic analytical approach based on the composite CMG indicator, which integrates three core dimensions of digital transformation: connectivity, market, and governance–sustainability-trust areas. The focus on Southeast Asian economies is substantively justified by the region’s pronounced heterogeneity in economic development, institutional capacities, and digitalization outcomes, combined with its strategic importance as one of the most dynamic emerging regions where digital transformation plays a pivotal role in shaping long-term growth trajectories and structural convergence prospects. The novelty of the research lies in the construction and application of the research tool: the CMG indicator—as a transparent and replicable measurement framework designed to enable the simultaneous analysis of the intensity of digitalization and its internal structure. Such an approach addresses key limitations of existing digitalization indicators when employed in dynamic and structure-oriented comparative research. Moreover, the integration of synthetic measurement techniques with cluster analysis allows for the identification of distinct digitalization profiles among ASEAN countries and for tracing their differentiated development trajectories under conditions of accelerated digital transformation. The results reveal substantial heterogeneity in digital transformation processes across the region, arising from the combined influence of differences in economic development levels, institutional conditions, market structures, and regulatory frameworks, which jointly shape national digitalization trajectories. The analysis identifies both advanced and relatively stabilized digitalization profiles, as well as catch-up pathways characterized by rapid improvements in digital infrastructure and regulatory environments. The conducted research demonstrates a clear value added resulting from the proposed coherent measurement framework, which enables the analysis of digital transformation from both temporal and taxonomic perspectives and provides new empirical evidence on emerging economies. The findings also have practical relevance, offering insights for the design of context-sensitive digital strategies aimed at reducing structural disparities and supporting inclusive and sustainable digital development in Southeast Asia.
Barbara Siuta-Tokarska, I. Yusuf, Małgorzata Kowalik et al.· Sustainability· 0 citations
Digital transformation has emerged as one of the most influential drivers of contemporary socio-economic change, shaping development trajectories, social resilience, and the capacity of societies to adapt to external shocks. Despite the growing body of research on digital transformation, relatively little attention has been devoted to societal digitalization as a distinct analytical category. Existing approaches remain largely focused on technological infrastructure, economic performance, or organizational transformation, while the social dimension of digital development is frequently treated as secondary. Addressing this gap, the present study conceptualizes societal digitalization as an autonomous dimension of digital transformation and advances a human-centred perspective that emphasizes digital capabilities and meaningful technology use rather than mere access to technological resources. The study examines the digital development trajectories of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand (ASEAN-3) between 2016 and 2023, with particular attention to the transformative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, an original Digital Development of Society (DDS) Index was developed and applied. The index is grounded in a hierarchical framework encompassing three interrelated dimensions: Access, Skills, and Use. The findings reveal substantial cross-country differences in both the level and structure of societal digitalization. More importantly, they provide empirical evidence of a second-level digital divide, demonstrating that improvements in digital access do not automatically translate into higher levels of digital competence or more advanced forms of technology utilization. The results further indicate that a structural shift in digital development—moving the focus from connectivity towards digital skills and meaningful use—accelerated during the 2020–2023 period. Consequently, human capital emerges as a more decisive determinant of digital maturity than infrastructure alone. The study contributes to the literature by offering a new conceptual framework for understanding societal digitalization and by introducing a multidimensional measurement tool capable of identifying structural bottlenecks in socio-digital development. Furthermore, the findings extend the policy debate on digital transformation by providing a diagnostic framework that enables policymakers to identify structural bottlenecks in national digital ecosystems and to align infrastructure investments with human capital development and meaningful digital participation.
Barbara Siuta-Tokarska, Dominik Krężołek, Ahmad Bakhtiar et al.· Sustainability· 0 citations
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