This paper explores the integration of digital technologies and tools in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning in Jordanian Higher Education through a qualitative open-ended online survey. It highlights the perceptions of 100 Jordanian EFL instructors, each with a minimum of five years of experience, on the digital transformation in the EFL learning process. The survey, consisting of ten open-ended questions, gathered in-depth insights on the benefits, challenges, and implications of this transformation. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the qualitative data, revealing varied levels of experience, the use of diverse digital tools, and both technical and pedagogical challenges. Key findings include the positive impact of digital tools on teaching and learning experiences, enhanced student engagement, and opportunities for personalized learning and collaboration. The study concludes that leveraging digital resources can enhance EFL learner engagement and learning outcomes, inform future pedagogical practices, and shape the landscape of digital transformation in EFL Higher Education for years to come.

Studies show that Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies can enhance compliance with COVID-19 guidelines within the parties in the construction industry in the future and mitigate job loss. It implies that mitigating job loss improves the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1) (eliminate poverty). There is a paucity of literature concerning 4IR technologies application and COVID-19 impact on South Africa’s construction industry. Thus, this paper investigates the impacts of the pandemic on the sector and the roles of digital technologies in mitigating job loss in future pandemics. Data were collected via virtual semi-structured interviews. The participants proffered unexplored insights into the impact of the pandemic on the sector and the possible roles that 4IR technology can play in mitigating the spread of the virus within the sector. Findings show that the sector was hit, especially the low-income earners, threatens to achieve Goal 1, despite government institutions’ intervention, such as economic support programmes, health and safety guidelines awareness, and medical facilities. Findings group the emerged impacts into health and safety, environmental, economic, productivity, social, and legal and insurance issues in South Africa. The study shows that technology can be advantageous to improving achieving Goal 1 in a pandemic era due to limited job loss.

This study investigates the impact of various educational and social factors on the digital skills of vocational education and training (VET) students, emphasizing the significance of continuous skill development in the digital age. Utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM), the paper analyzes data from 382 adult VET students in Greece, examining the effects of Erasmus program participation, daily computer use, educational platforms, and social network engagement on digital competencies. The findings reveal that participation in Erasmus programs and the use of educational platforms significantly enhance students’ digital skills, highlighting the value of international experiences and digital learning tools in VET. Conversely, daily computer use alone does not significantly impact digital skills, suggesting that structured and purposeful digital tool integration is essential for skill development. The study also underscores the positive role of social networks in improving content management skills, advocating for their strategic use in educational settings. These results demonstrate the need for targeted digital literacy initiatives within VET programs to prepare students for modern labor market demands. The research contributes to the theoretical understanding of digital skill acquisition and offers practical insights for educators and policymakers to enhance VET curricula, fostering economic and social progress through improved digital literacy.

Sustainable development has emerged as a global imperative, with the rapid adoption of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework reflecting this trend. In the context of digital transformation, this study aims to investigate the impact of ESG performance on corporate value, while also examining the moderating and mediating roles of digital transformation and green innovation within this relationship. Utilizing annual data from A-share listed companies on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) and Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) spanning the years 2018 to 2022, this research encompasses a total of 17,940 observations. Given China’s commitment to sustainable, high-quality development, this study underscores the critical importance of advancing ESG principles alongside corporate digital transformation. Empirical analysis reveals that ESG performance significantly enhances firm value, with digital transformation serving as a positive moderator that amplifies the impact of ESG performance on firm value primarily through the enhancement of firms’ green technology innovation capabilities. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the interaction between ESG initiatives and firm value, particularly amidst ongoing digital advancements. Consequently, this paper recommends that governments enhance corporate ESG performance through a combination of incentive and penalty mechanisms, establish a comprehensive ESG rating system, and optimize the policy framework for digital transformation. Moreover, enterprises should foster awareness of green innovation, refine their governance structures, accelerate digital transformation efforts, and promote the application of digital technologies and information sharing across various domains to achieve sustainable development and enhance competitiveness.