Digital transformation and human talent management in higher education: a systematic review of scientific evidence on digital competencies, technology adoption, and organizational innovation in universities (2021–2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/asce.v5i3.1090Keywords:
Pedagogical capacity, Higher education, Educational strategies, Educational innovation, Digital transformationAbstract
Digital transformation has become essential for higher education institutions due to the need to respond to increasingly dynamic and technology-driven environments; however, the adoption of platforms, digital systems, and artificial intelligence does not in itself guarantee better academic outcomes. The primary challenge lies in the gap between the availability of technological resources and the ability of faculty and administrative staff to use them effectively. Therefore, the objective was to analyze scientific evidence published between 2021 and 2025 regarding the influence of digital competencies and strategic human talent management on the digital transformation processes of higher education institutions. The study was conducted through a systematic literature review based on the PRISMA 2020 protocol; the information was organized and analyzed using a thematic synthesis aimed at identifying trends, challenges, and opportunities. The findings demonstrated that digital transformation yields better results when universities combine technology adoption with the strengthening of staff capabilities; digital competencies were identified as a decisive factor for educational innovation, while key barriers included digital skill gaps, organizational resistance to change, and limitations in training. It was confirmed that university digital transformation depends as much on the people using the technology as on the technology itself; capacity building, the promotion of learning cultures, and the implementation of comprehensive strategies are fundamental to consolidating sustainable digital transformation processes.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Patricia Equilea Veizaga, Wilmer Vicente Camino Mena, Rocio Rios Rios , Diego Paul Romero Aguiar, Briselda Fabiola Garza Valenzuela
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