Mapping the shift from digitisation to digital transformation: A 20-year bibliometric analysis of higher education research
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38140/ijer-2025.vol7.2.20Keywords:
Bibliometric analysis, digitisation, digital transformation, educational technology, higher education, thematic evolutionAbstract
Digital transformation has become a defining force in higher education, fundamentally reshaping teaching, learning, and institutional strategies worldwide. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of research on digital transformation in higher education published between 2005 and 2024, using 726 documents from 405 scholarly sources indexed in Scopus. The analysis employed Biblioshiny to examine publication trends, citation patterns, and thematic evolution. Results indicate an annual growth rate of 32.57%, reflecting an acceleration in scholarly engagement. Collaboration is extensive, with 23% of publications involving international co-authorship and an average of 6.87 authors per paper, underscoring the global relevance of this research domain. The thematic analysis reveals a shift from early e-learning initiatives towards advanced concepts such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and sustainability, signalling a transition from incremental digitisation to systemic institutional change. These findings highlight the interdisciplinary maturity of the field and provide a foundation for future research aimed at addressing regional disparities and leveraging emerging technologies for inclusive and resilient higher education systems.
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