This paper describes the lived experiences of experts who have taken a holistic approach to driving transformation in various organizations. The primary goal of the paper is to outline, at a high level, key insights and observations that are critically important to implementing Digital Business Transformation (DBT). The authors have undertaken primary interviews in which interviewees were asked to share their experience and opinions regarding organizational prerequisites for embarking on DBT, misconceptions about DBT, and the challenges to implementing DBT. These insights were analyzed and clustered and this paper articulates six lessons they have learned during the transformations. These lessons relate to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) commitment and the need for change leadership, the best team to drive the implementation successfully, the perception and behavior of stakeholders before, during and after the transformation, the importance of choosing the best digital platform to suit the business and the increased importance of relationships in the business ecosystem. We present the findings in a holistic framework and organizations seriously considering DBT implementation in their own business may consider these insights to be a good starting point.

Platform-based work and corresponding business models are redefining the work landscape. The rapid growth in digital platforms has prospered since the start of the pandemic, enabling various service-based gig work tasks such as Amazon, Uber and Deliveroo. Currently, there is scant literature that examines the well-being of gig workers in the platform economy. In this article, we reflect on the well-being of one category of gig workers, low-skilled service-based gig workers. These workers are often migrants or transient workers who face barriers to enter the job market in a foreign country, need a job to generate an income for the family, often transition between jobs or wish to conduct flexible, temporary gigs afforded by many digital platforms. Informed by an overview of the literature and the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) definition of well-being, our study supports the notion that precarity leads to compromised worker well-being. As a consequence, we identify four themes for gig worker well-being that can be incorporated in the design of platforms to improve the well-being of low-skilled service-based workers: (1) regulatory aspects and contracts to protect the worker, (2) job-related appraisal and reward systems, (3) feeling connected in a work-related social network and (4) algorithmic control and organization of tasks and work. Our study opens discourse on digital platform worker well-being, suggesting improvements to digital platform design to support worker well-being for service-based gig workers and potentially all forms of gig work.

The number of Saudi female international students (SFISs) pursuing higher degrees in Western countries has increased dramatically. Many are faced with unusual challenges, especially acting without a male’s permission, interacting with males, and using an open, free Internet. This article proposes that SFISs experience a “digital shift” whereby their cultural, educational, and digital backgrounds impact their information-seeking behavior in Australia. The study used a qualitative interpretivist methodology, interviewing a diverse group of SFISs studying in Australia, to better understand this impact on their everyday information needs and use of information sources. Findings indicate that SFISs’ imperfect online search skills, exacerbated by English language deficiency, increase their challenges. Recommendations for supporting SFISs are offered for institutions and service providers.

Journal of Medical Internet Research - International Scientific Journal for Medical Research, Information and Communication on the Internet

People with disabilities face unique challenges accessing and participating in work. From a digital inclusion perspective, an uptake of anywhere working arrangements may hold significant promise for people with disabilities. This qualitative study explored barriers of flexible work for people with disabilities in Australia. The study focused on manager and worker perspectives and findings indicate that both parties face unique challenges to accommodate people with disabilities in flexible work. Barriers encountered by disabled workers seeking access to flexible working arrangements include management attitudes, physical and infrastructure problems, social isolation misconceptions, insufficient flexible work opportunities, and inadequate management knowledge of IT support and reasonable adjustment for people with disabilities. Management issues involve cultural intolerance towards diversity and disability in general, as well as lack of policies and processes that create a supportive environment for people with disabilities who wish to engage in flexible working arrangements.