Can digital transformation be a threat? A systematic literature review of the factors influencing firms’ digital transformation and internationalization

Digital transformation has a significant impact on firm internationalization. This paper aims to provide a systematic literature review to analyze two decades of literature on key issues related to digital transformation at the individual, firm, and macro (international) levels and its impact on firms’ internationalization process. We show the impact of human (soft side) and non-human components (i.e., knowledge, leadership, digital servitization, technological) of digital transformation that can either allow it or threaten it and their impact on firms’ internationalization. In addition, our findings show that digital transformation can positively and negatively impact firm internationalization at the individual, firm, and macro levels. Moreover, we review the existing theories related to digital transformation and internationalization and identify the current gaps in these theories. Finally, we provide directions for future research to address these gaps.