Digital transformation may exacerbate environmental pressures, deepen socio-economic inequalities, and reinforce institutional asymmetries

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the recommendations and stated challenges and stated research gap of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2025 and 2026, spanning 4 journals. Those papers have been cited 145 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 4 representative gaps

• The Influence of Emerging Technologies and Digital Public Infrastructure on Inclusive Digital Service Delivery for Persons with Disabilities and Senior Citizens in Kenya (2026) · East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences · doi

  Building on the findings and lessons learned, this section presents targeted recommendations aimed at advancing inclusive digital service delivery for persons with disabilities and senior citizens in regulatory Kenya, environment, infrastructure development, capacity building, and financial sustainability. focusing on policy and is Enforcement of Digital Accessibility Standards:

  generalrecommendations
  Keywords: building digital lessons learned presents targeted recommendations aimed advancing inclusive service delivery persons disabilities senior
• The Intersection of Digital Inclusivity and Media Sustainability, Challenges and Opportunities in Marginalized Communities (2026) · NIU Journal of Social Sciences · doi

  References In order to create digital spaces that are more inclusive and sustainable to marginalized groups, it will not be sufficient to use chance alone. To achieve this target, specific policies must be in place, it must have consistent investment and leaders who must prioritize the needs of the people. Both UNESCO (2021) and World Bank (2020) mention that belonging to the digital world means being beyond merely having access internet. The underprivileged communities should have a policy that supports them and powerful systems of empowerment that are sustainable. It is here that the policy should intervene, provide equal opportunities to access the digital space, engage in it, and have a future in which digital tools are sustainable and accessible to everyone. the to The basis is to fortify digital infrastructure and make it affordable. A lot of the marginalized communities, 87 Al-Mamary, Y. H., & Alshallaqi, M. (2023). Making inclusive: An digital government more integrated perspective. Social Sciences, 12(11), 557. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12110557 Apriliyanti, I. D., Kusumasari, B., Pramusinto, A., & Setianto, W. A. (2021). Digital Divide in ASEAN member states: Analyzing the critical factors for successful e-government programs. Online Information Review, 45(3), https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-07- 440–460. 2020-0306 Basu, S. (2004). E-government and developing countries: An overview. International Review of Law, Computers & Technology, 18(1), 109–132. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600860410001674779 NIU Journal of Social Sciences Breisinger, C., Keenan, M., & Mbuthia, J. (2023). A way forward: Policy-driven transformation. International Food Policy Research Institute. Chen, Y. N., Chen, H. M., Huang, W., & Ching, R. K. (2006). in E-government developed and developing countries. In

  generalrecommendations
  Keywords: digital policy government sustainable must https inclusive marginalized world access communities social sciences review developing
• Governing digital transformation for sustainable development: an integrated cross–country assessment framework (2026) · Frontiers in Sustainable Cities · doi

  Digital transformation may exacerbate environmental pressures, deepen socio-economic inequalities, and reinforce institutional asymmetries. The study notes that digital transformation outcomes are not inherently beneficial. The study highlights the need for effective governance frameworks to ensure that digital transformation contributes to sustainable development.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: digital transformation exacerbate environmental pressures deepen socio-economic inequalities
• Digital Transformation and Social Inclusion in Public Services: A Qualitative Analysis of E-Government Adoption for Marginalized Communities in Sustainable Governance (2025) · Sustainability · cited 145× · doi

  Existing studies on e-government adoption primarily focus on technological infrastructure, efficiency, and policy implementation, often neglecting sustainability dimensions. There is limited research on the role of socio-economic disparities, digital literacy gaps, and institutional trust in shaping citizens' adoption of e-government services. The role of structural inequalities in shaping digital inclusion policies remains underexplored.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: existing studies e-government adoption primarily focus technological infrastructure

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