A review in the International Journal of Business Innovation and Research has looked at the recent literature to see how large companies can become more resilient by using digital tools and technology. The researchers found that being flexible, making decisions based on data, and involving all stakeholders are the main ways to boost resilience. They add that the use of good knowledge-sharing systems also makes a big difference, rather than simply using advanced technology.
Large companies face a paradox: while digital transformation holds enormous promise for strengthening their resilience, many, nevertheless, fail to achieve their intended outcomes. To find out why this might be, Moris Krismas Tarigan, Togar Mangihut Simatupang, and Yuni Ros Bangun of the Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, have carried out a comprehensive review of research published between 2020 and 2024. The team used the digital maturity model, the Industry 4.0 framework, and dynamic capabilities theory to help them reveal the various factors affecting organisational resilience.
Organisational resilience refers to a company’s ability to anticipate, adapt to, and recover from disruptions, whether triggered by economic shocks, global pandemics, supply chain breakdowns, or rapid technological changes. Digital transformation involves a fundamental rethinking of business operations through the adoption and integration of digital technologies. Digital transformation can have powerful effects, but this review shows that the true value lies not in technical capabilities alone, but in how effectively they are embedded within an organisation’s culture, strategy, and decision-making systems.
The researchers found that there are three important mechanisms through which digital transformation boosts organisational resilience in large companies. The first is a marked improvement in operational flexibility, meaning companies can adjust processes, production, and service delivery more rapidly in response to changing conditions. The second is that data-driven decision-making is improved, allowing companies to make faster, more informed, and adaptive choices during times of uncertainty. The third is that stakeholder engagement is increased, which strengthens collaboration and communication with partners, suppliers, and customers. Overall, these factors help companies respond more effectively to disruption and foster long-term adaptability.
In addition, the review also found that organisational learning has an important role. Companies that invest in knowledge management system, tools and practices that enable the capture, sharing, and application of knowledge, can enhance the positive effects of digital transformation. In other words, technological sophistication alone is not enough to build resilience, but rather an organisation needs to have the capacity to learn from experience.
Tarigan, M.K., Simatupang, T.M. and Bangun, Y.R. (2025) ‘Building resilience through digital transformation: a systematic literature review and comprehensive framework for large enterprises’, Int. J. Business Innovation and Research, Vol. 36, No. 5, pp.1–28.