Building Digital Technological Capabilities
A Global South Perspective
Published on 18. July 2025
Book
Hardback
352 pages
978-1-80392-235-5 (ISBN)
Description
Drawing on case studies from across Africa, Asia and Latin America, this book addresses building technological capability as a catalyst for digital and economic development. Expert authors illustrate how individuals, organizations and countries in the Global South can advance their technological proficiencies to engage in effective digital transformation processes and establish a sustainable digital economy.
Chapters examine policy frameworks and strategies for building digital capabilities highlighting the importance of crafting a national strategy, investing in digital education and skill development and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government. They explore the benefits of digitization in manufacturing, financial services, and businesses demonstrating its impact on key decision-making processes. Ultimately, the book reveals innovative ways to overcome significant obstacles to digital transformation in the Global South, underscoring the need for action-oriented approaches.
This book is an invaluable resource for students and academics in knowledge management, organizational innovation, economics of innovation, industrial economics and innovation policy. Its findings will also benefit policy makers looking to bolster digital development and fight poverty in emerging economies.
Chapters examine policy frameworks and strategies for building digital capabilities highlighting the importance of crafting a national strategy, investing in digital education and skill development and fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government. They explore the benefits of digitization in manufacturing, financial services, and businesses demonstrating its impact on key decision-making processes. Ultimately, the book reveals innovative ways to overcome significant obstacles to digital transformation in the Global South, underscoring the need for action-oriented approaches.
This book is an invaluable resource for students and academics in knowledge management, organizational innovation, economics of innovation, industrial economics and innovation policy. Its findings will also benefit policy makers looking to bolster digital development and fight poverty in emerging economies.
Reviews / Votes
'The world is going through an important digital transformation. Building strong digital technological capabilities is critical. This book provides comprehensive and timely analyses based on in-depth studies from Africa, Latin America and the Global South countries broadly. It is a must read for policy makers, business leaders and researchers who do not want to miss the big opportunities offered by the digital economy and benefit from the transformation.' -- Xiaolan Fu, University of Oxford, UK 'This book provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the most pressing contemporary challenges and innovative solutions in the realm of digital transformation, AI, and digital innovation, with a particular emphasis on their implications for businesses in developing countries, especially those in Africa and Latin America. Through an updated review and rigorous analysis, the authors shed light on critical issues and offer practical, forward-thinking strategies tailored to the unique contexts of these regions. Each of the eleven chapters is meticulously crafted, delivering valuable knowledge and actionable insights, making this work an indispensable resource for practitioners seeking to drive change, academics aiming to advance research, and policymakers striving to shape effective and inclusive digital agendas.' -- Yadong Luo, University of Miami, USAMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-80392-235-5 (9781803922355)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Edited by Paulo N. Figueiredo, Professor of Technology and Innovation Management, Brazilian School of Public and Business Administration (EBAPE), The Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV), Brazil and Shaker A. Zahra, Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Robert E. Buuck Chair, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, USA
Content
Contents
Introduction to Building Digital Technological Capabilities: a catalyst for digital transformation and the digital economy in Global South countries Paulo N. Figueiredo and Shaker A. Zahra
1 Empowering the digital workforce: government initiatives, industry partnerships, and educational reforms
Samia Melhem and Dina Danif Richani
2 Harnessing data for development: defining a new strategy for Africa in the digital economy
Padmashree Gehl Sampath
3 Unveiling regulatory dynamics in digital banking: a cross-sectional analysis of evolution and adaptation
Fariba Seyedjafarrangraz, Claudia De Fuentes and Michael Zhang
4 Building foundational capabilities for the digitalisation of manufacturing in Africa and Latin America
Fernando Santiago, Andrea Heredia Zurita and Ruth Pollak
5 Windows of digital innovation in South Africa: digital capabilities for product, process, and service development
Antonio Andreoni and Guendalina Anzolin
6 Artificial intelligence in Mexico: how to think digital capabilities and industrial policy in a turbulent geopolitical scenario
Monica Casalet and Federico Stezano
7 Building manufacturing firms' digital technological capabilities for circular economy outcomes in developing and emerging economies
Jahan Ara Peerally, Fernando Santiago, Sedigheh Moghavvemi and Emma Tambou Marianna
8 Digital technological capability framework for financial service providers in emerging economies: the case of South Africa
Michael Makgale Modiba and Raymond Mompoloki Kekwaletswe
9 The determinants of enterprise digital capabilities in Sierra Leone
Jude Edeh
10 Pragmatist reflection on how micro and small businesses use digital technology to enhance dynamic capabilities in uncertain situations in Ghana
Adebowale Owoseni, Sylvester Hatsu and Adedamola Tolani
11 Data-driven approach for the digital transformation in small and medium-sized enterprises: insights from Brazil
Enzo Morosini Frazzon, Luciana Stradioto, Julia Cristina Bremen and Pedro Onorio
Index
Introduction to Building Digital Technological Capabilities: a catalyst for digital transformation and the digital economy in Global South countries Paulo N. Figueiredo and Shaker A. Zahra
1 Empowering the digital workforce: government initiatives, industry partnerships, and educational reforms
Samia Melhem and Dina Danif Richani
2 Harnessing data for development: defining a new strategy for Africa in the digital economy
Padmashree Gehl Sampath
3 Unveiling regulatory dynamics in digital banking: a cross-sectional analysis of evolution and adaptation
Fariba Seyedjafarrangraz, Claudia De Fuentes and Michael Zhang
4 Building foundational capabilities for the digitalisation of manufacturing in Africa and Latin America
Fernando Santiago, Andrea Heredia Zurita and Ruth Pollak
5 Windows of digital innovation in South Africa: digital capabilities for product, process, and service development
Antonio Andreoni and Guendalina Anzolin
6 Artificial intelligence in Mexico: how to think digital capabilities and industrial policy in a turbulent geopolitical scenario
Monica Casalet and Federico Stezano
7 Building manufacturing firms' digital technological capabilities for circular economy outcomes in developing and emerging economies
Jahan Ara Peerally, Fernando Santiago, Sedigheh Moghavvemi and Emma Tambou Marianna
8 Digital technological capability framework for financial service providers in emerging economies: the case of South Africa
Michael Makgale Modiba and Raymond Mompoloki Kekwaletswe
9 The determinants of enterprise digital capabilities in Sierra Leone
Jude Edeh
10 Pragmatist reflection on how micro and small businesses use digital technology to enhance dynamic capabilities in uncertain situations in Ghana
Adebowale Owoseni, Sylvester Hatsu and Adedamola Tolani
11 Data-driven approach for the digital transformation in small and medium-sized enterprises: insights from Brazil
Enzo Morosini Frazzon, Luciana Stradioto, Julia Cristina Bremen and Pedro Onorio
Index