Digital Transformation and Economic Inequality: Bridging the Gap or Widening the Divide?

Submission start date: 1 August 2025
Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

Introduction

Digital technologies have democratized access to information and services, lowered barriers to market entry and provided new job opportunities through platforms such as e-commerce and remote work (Lythreatis et al., 2022). However, the digital divide and disparities in access to the internet and digital tools continue to marginalize less affluent and rural populations within and across countries. Moreover, the automation of traditional jobs has disproportionately affected lower-wage workers, intensifying income disparities (Kraus et al., 2021).

Beyond job displacement, digital transformation influences economic inequality through multiple channels. The ability of businesses to utilize technology determines their competitiveness on the market, as larger firms with greater capital accumulation benefit disproportionately from digital tools, while smaller businesses struggle to adapt. Increased automation enhances efficiency but also reduces demand for low-skilled labour, pushing wage gaps further apart. On a macroeconomic level, economies that invest in digital infrastructure experience higher productivity growth and GDP expansion, but countries with weak digital foundations fall behind, exacerbating global disparities. Access to financing is also affected, as financial technology (fintech) has expanded credit access for some, while those without digital literacy or internet access remain excluded. These interconnected factors demonstrate that digital transformation shapes economic inequality from both microeconomic and macroeconomic perspectives, requiring a comprehensive analysis of its effects on market dynamics, job structures and wealth distribution (Francis & Weller, 2021; Lythreatis et al., 2022).

Digital transformation holds the promise of poverty alleviation through innovation; it also presents challenges of increased economic stratification. For instance, while fintech innovations have provided unprecedented access to financial services for the underbanked, the reliance on digital infrastructure means that those without access face greater financial exclusion. Similarly, while digital platforms can offer small businesses global reach, they also intensify competition, often favouring larger players with more resources. Therefore, digital transformation has had a paradoxical effect on economic inequality, both within and between countries (Suhrab et al., 2024). In developed countries, rapid technological adoption has led to significant economic growth and prosperity but has also resulted in job displacement due to automation and a demand for higher skill sets, which not everyone can meet (Acemoglu & Restrepo, 2020). This shift disproportionately affects lower-income workers and small businesses unable to invest in cutting-edge technology, thus widening the wealth gap. Conversely, in developing countries, while digital technologies offer potential for economic leapfrogging and improved service delivery, the lack of robust digital infrastructure and limited access to affordable internet services hinder these benefits (Goldfarb et al., 2023).

To reduce the economic inequality caused by digital transformation, many solutions can be adopted. Governments and organizations may enact policies that promote equitable access to digital technologies (Nambisan et al., 2017). This includes investing in digital infrastructure in underserved areas, providing subsidized connectivity and supporting digital literacy programmes. Careful regulation of AI and automation can prevent disproportionate impacts on vulnerable workers. This might include policies that encourage the creation of new jobs in emerging industries as automation displaces traditional roles (Xiao et al., 2024).

This call for papers aims to examine the dual-edged nature of digital transformation. While it offers opportunities for enhanced efficiency, transparency and innovation in governance, it also poses the risk of exacerbating economic inequality by creating digital divides. The contributions may provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which digital transformation affects economic inequality and propose innovative solutions to mitigate these effects. The studies may analyse case studies and empirical studies of digital governance initiatives, assess the impact of digital policies on different socioeconomic groups and propose strategies to ensure that digital advancements contribute to more equitable economic outcomes. In the next part, many themes that could potentially be attractive topics for future study prospects in the discipline are presented.

Scope of the special issue

In response to this call for special issue contributions, we encourage work in the following areas; however, they are not restricted to:
• Bridging the digital divide: Strategies for inclusive digital access
• The role of digital literacy in reducing economic inequality
• Digital inclusion: Economic impacts on marginalized communities
• Global digital divide: Comparative analysis between developed and developing countries
• Role of digital technologies in mitigating the impacts of trade sanctions
• Digital wealth distribution and economic equality: Trade barriers, market dominance and policy responses
• Trade tariffs, sanctions and their influence on global digital trade
• Digital transformation in trade: From monopoly power to consumer empowerment
• Automation, AI and the future of work: Implications for economic equality
• Gig economy: A vehicle for economic development or inequality
• Digitalization and the job market: Employment shifts, skills and workforce transformation
• Digitalization, capital accumulation and competitiveness: Corporate and national perspectives
• Governance models for fair wealth distribution in the digital era
• Governance of digital transactions: Security, privacy and equity
• Digital governance and economic inequality: Ensuring equitable growth
• Smart cities and economic inclusion: Opportunities and challenges
• The role of technology in enhancing trade transparency and compliance
• Technological innovations and their role in reshaping trade policies
• Policy interventions for fair digital economies
• The impact of digital transformation on women and economic inequality

Guest Editors

Professor Umer Shahzad
Faculty of Economics and Management, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Email: shahzad@pef.czu.cz

Professor Gagan Deep Sharma
University School of Management Studies,
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India
Email: angrishgagan@gmail.com, gagan@ipu.ac.in

Professor Mohammad Sharif Karimi
Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, College of Business,
Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, USA
Email: mkarimi@tarleton.edu

References


Acemoglu, D., & Restrepo, P. (2020). Robots and jobs: Evidence from US labor markets. Journal of Political Economy, 128(6), 2188–2244. https://doi.org/10.1086/705716
Francis, D. V, & Weller, C. E. (2021). Economic Inequality, the Digital Divide, and Remote Learning During COVID-19. The Review of Black Political Economy, 49(1), 41–60. https://doi.org/10.1177/00346446211017797
Goldfarb, A., Taska, B., & Teodoridis, F. (2023). Could machine learning be a general purpose technology? A comparison of emerging technologies using data from online job postings. Research Policy, 52(1), 104653. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2022.104653
Kraus, S., Jones, P., Kailer, N., Weinmann, A., Chaparro-Banegas, N., & Roig-Tierno, N. (2021). Digital Transformation: An Overview of the Current State of the Art of Research. SAGE Open, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211047576
Lythreatis, S., Singh, S. K., & El-Kassar, A.-N. (2022). The digital divide: A review and future research agenda. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 175, 121359. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121359
Nambisan, S., Lyytinen, K. J., Majchrzak, A., & Song, M. (2017). Digital Innovation Management: Reinventing Innovation Management Research in a Digital World. MIS Q., 41, 223–238. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:18552998
Suhrab, M., Chen, P., & Ullah, A. (2024). Digital financial inclusion and income inequality nexus: Can technology innovation and infrastructure development help in achieving sustainable development goals? Technology in Society, 76, 102411. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102411
Xiao, A., Xu, Z., Skare, M., Qin, Y., & Wang, X. (2024). Bridging the digital divide: the impact of technological innovation on income inequality and human interactions. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 809. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03307-8


Acemoglu, D., & Restrepo, P. (2020). Robots and jobs: Evidence from US labor markets. Journal of Political Economy, 128(6), 2188–2244. https://doi.org/10.1086/705716
Francis, D. V, & Weller, C. E. (2021). Economic Inequality, the Digital Divide, and Remote Learning During COVID-19. The Review of Black Political Economy, 49(1), 41–60. https://doi.org/10.1177/00346446211017797
Goldfarb, A., Taska, B., & Teodoridis, F. (2023). Could machine learning be a general purpose technology? A comparison of emerging technologies using data from online job postings. Research Policy, 52(1), 104653. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2022.104653
Kraus, S., Jones, P., Kailer, N., Weinmann, A., Chaparro-Banegas, N., & Roig-Tierno, N. (2021). Digital Transformation: An Overview of the Current State of the Art of Research. SAGE Open, 11(3). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211047576
Lythreatis, S., Singh, S. K., & El-Kassar, A.-N. (2022). The digital divide: A review and future research agenda. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 175, 121359. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121359
Nambisan, S., Lyytinen, K. J., Majchrzak, A., & Song, M. (2017). Digital Innovation Management: Reinventing Innovation Management Research in a Digital World. MIS Q., 41, 223–238. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:18552998
Suhrab, M., Chen, P., & Ullah, A. (2024). Digital financial inclusion and income inequality nexus: Can technology innovation and infrastructure development help in achieving sustainable development goals? Technology in Society, 76, 102411. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2023.102411
Xiao, A., Xu, Z., Skare, M., Qin, Y., & Wang, X. (2024). Bridging the digital divide: the impact of technological innovation on income inequality and human interactions. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 809. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03307-8

Macroeconomic Implications of Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability

Manuscript submission deadline: September 30, 2025

Open for manuscript submission: March 1, 2025

Citation: Politická ekonomie, Volume 74, Special issue, 2026

Introduction

Global energy systems are at a critical juncture, where the pursuit of energy security must align with the goals of environmental sustainability. This intersection requires a careful balance between meeting growing energy demands, ensuring economic viability, and mitigating environmental impacts. Energy security, traditionally focused on the uninterrupted availability of energy at affordable prices, is increasingly interwoven with the need to transition to sustainable energy systems that mitigate environmental degradation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Tugcu and Menegaki 2024). The modern discourse on energy security expands beyond mere resource availability to encompass resilience against global challenges, including climate change, geopolitical tensions, and fluctuating energy markets. Addressing these challenges requires innovative economic pathways that integrate renewable energy adoption, efficient energy utilization, and sustainable resource management while fostering social equity and global cooperation (Chen et al., 2024).

The intersection of energy security and environmental sustainability demands a holistic approach that balances economic growth with ecological integrity (Adanma and Ogunbiyi 2024). By leveraging advanced technologies, such as smart grids, energy storage systems, and renewable energy solutions, countries can create resilient energy systems that support both economic development and environmental stewardship (Vivoda 2024; Hassan et al., 2024). Economic pathways, such as the promotion of green finance, carbon trading, and circular economy principles, are instrumental in accelerating this transition (Kumar et al., 2024; Zhagn et al., 2024). These strategies not only reduce reliance on fossil fuels but also stimulate job creation and innovation, making sustainability a driver of economic prosperity. Through multidisciplinary collaboration across energy science, policy development, and economics, this field aims to provide actionable insights into building energy systems that are not only secure but also aligned with the long-term health of the planet and its inhabitants.

Scope of the special issue

This special issue will delve into the cutting-edge solutions and frameworks that integrate energy security with economic and environmental sustainability, emphasizing how these interconnections can be leveraged to create robust and adaptive energy systems. By exploring forward-looking approaches, such as decentralized energy networks, advanced renewable technologies, energy-efficient digital infrastructures, and circular economy models, the issue seeks to redefine the pathways to a sustainable energy future. Additionally, it will critically assess the role of emerging economic instruments, like carbon markets and green finance, in fostering investments in clean energy innovations and infrastructure resilience.

The primary focus of this issue is to illuminate strategies that promote energy system resilience in the face of uncertainties, while simultaneously driving environmental protection and economic growth. This special issue aims to foster a rich multidisciplinary discourse, drawing insights from energy science, systems engineering, ecological economics, behavioral studies, public policy, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the issue aspires to chart a novel course toward achieving energy systems that are not only sustainable but also adaptive and equitable for a rapidly evolving global landscape.

We invite contributions addressing (but not limited to) the following topics:

  • • The economics of transitioning to renewables during energy crises
  • • Carbon neutrality and energy security
  • • Energy security nexus and its impacts on the global economy
  • • Energy market volatility and its economic consequences for developing economies
  • • Green innovation as a solution to energy dependence and climate change
  • • Economic resilience of nations to energy shocks
  • • The economic trade-offs of short-term energy strategies versus long-term sustainability
  • • Financial mechanisms for supporting energy security and environmental reforms
  • • Environmental degradation and economic costs linked to energy crises
  • • Integration of renewable energy technologies in energy security strategies.
  • • Economic modeling of sustainable energy transitions.
  • • Circular economy approaches in the energy sector.
  • • Innovations in energy storage and grid resilience.
  • • Policy frameworks for balancing energy security and climate action.
  • • Socio-economic impacts of transitioning to low-carbon economies.
  • • Role of international cooperation in ensuring global energy security.
  • • Digital transformation and its impact on energy systems and sustainability.

Guest Editors

Dr. Shah Fahad (Leading Guest Editor)
Professor
Business School, University of Jinan, Jinan, China
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=hERvwt8AAAAJ&hl=en

ORCID: 0000-0002-7080-3031
Email: sm_fahad@ujn.edu.cn

Dr. Imran Khan
Assistant Professor
School of Economics and Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=WWaCgtAAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate

ORCID: 0000-0003-4750-8189
Email: imran@aup.edu.pk

Dr. Rădulescu Magdalena
Professor
Faculty of Economic Sciences, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Pitesti University Center, Pitesti, Romania
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9tmtUi8AAAAJ&hl=ro
ORCID: 0000-0002-4050-8170
Email: magdalena.radulescu@upit.ro

References

Adanma, U. M., Ogunbiyi, E. O. (2024). A comparative review of global environmental policies for promoting sustainable development and economic growth. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 6(5), 954–957. https://doi.org/10.51594/ijarss.v6i5.1147

Chen, Z., Zhang, M., et al. (2024). Building Resilient Food Security Against Global Crisis: New Evidence from China. Food and Energy Security, 13(5), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/fes3.70008

Hassan, Q., Hsu, C., et al. (2024). Enhancing smart grid integrated renewable distributed generation capacities: Implications for sustainable energy transformation. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 66, 103793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2024.103793

Kumar, B., Kumar, L., et al. (2024). Green finance in circular economy: a literature review. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26, 16419–16459. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03361-3

Tugcu, C. T., Menegaki, A. N. (2024). The impact of renewable energy generation on energy security: Evidence from the G7 countries. Gondwana Research, 125, 253–265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2023.08.018

Vivid, V. (2024). Uncharted depths: Navigating the energy security potential of deep-sea mining. Journal of Environmental Management, 369, 122343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122343

Zhang, Y., Wang, X., et al. (2024). The path of green finance to promote the realization of low-carbon economic transformation under the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals: Theoretical model and empirical analysis. International Review of Financial Analysis, 94, 103227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2024.103227

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