As digital technologies continue to shape the economy, countries are faced with increasing scrutiny in the use of digital transformation to aid productivity and improve performance. In South Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated Small and medium-sized businesses’ (SMEs’) uptake of digital technologies, as many businesses had to shift their operations online and adopt new digital tools and technologies to solve the challenges posed by the pandemic. This has led to an increased focus on digital transformation mechanisms among South African firms. Therefore, the study examines the effect of digital transformation on the productivity of firms using cross-sectional data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) (2020). The survey was based on firms and is a representative sample of the private sector in the South African economy and covers a wide variety of business environment themes, such as infrastructure, competitiveness, access to finance, and performance indicators. We found that digital transformation improved productivity of South African firms. Furthermore, empirical findings are reassuring robust to the IV-2SLS and quantile regression model, size of business, sectoral and provincial analysis. Finally, we recommend that policy makers should develop and implement initiatives to improve digital infrastructure, including high-speed internet access and reliable connectivity, especially in rural and underserved areas.

Industry 4.0 is revolutionizing businesses’ operations and relationships with the communities to which they cater. The widespread use of computing and network programs compels firms to digitize their operations and offer novel goods, solutions, and business for practice. Universities appear to be slow to adapt to the changes in the education sector. This study suggests using consolidated digital transformation sources to evaluate the level of ability that universities have achieved in the implementation of digital procedures and to compare it to that of other business sectors across all cities and provinces in Vietnam. The text outlines specific factors that universities should consider when implementing the model. Although the objective with the expectation of education from digital transformation is high, compare it with other industries. And the scores achieved in structural agility and create of benefit for the transformative goals are 3.4, but the score of benefit of technologies is 3.0 lower than. Additionally, the organizational component’s scores were primarily focused on leadership and culture, digital strategy, market digitalization, dynamic and digital capabilities, and strengthened logistics within each industry during the digital transformation. Our findings indicate that universities lag behind other industries, perhaps as a consequence of inadequate leadership and cultural shifts. This is exacerbated by a lack of innovation and inadequate financial assistance.

This article explores the transformative journey of universities in Kazakhstan, focusing on the results of recent research on the quality of higher education. The study delves into the significant reforms and innovations implemented in the Kazakhstani higher education system, assessing their impact on academic standards, student performance, and institutional efficiency. Through comprehensive data analysis and expert interviews, the research highlights the strides made in improving educational quality, fostering international collaborations, and integrating modern technologies in teaching and learning. The findings underscore the critical role of government policies, industry partnerships, and community participation in driving these transformations. This article provides valuable information on the challenges and successes experienced by Kazakhstani universities, providing a blueprint for further advances in the sector of higher education. The key factors contributing to the success of these reforms include strong government support, international collaboration, robust quality assurance mechanisms, a focus on research and innovation, and professional development for educators. While challenges remain, the future of higher education in Kazakhstan looks promising, provided that these efforts continue and are further refined to address existing gaps.

The article presents an answer to the current challenge about needs to form methodological approaches to the digital transformation of existing industrial enterprises (EIE). The paper develops a hypothesis that it is advisable to carry out the digital transformation of EIE based on considering it as a complex technical system using model-based system engineering (MBSE). The practical methodology based on MBSE for EIE digital representation creation are presented. It is demonstrated how different system models of EIE is created from a set of entities of the MBSE approach: requirements—unctions—components and corresponding matrices of interconnections. Also the principles and composition of tasks for system architectures creation of EIE digital representation are developed. The practical application of proposed methodology is illustrated by the example of an existing gas distribution station.

Vietnam’s economic evolution presents a compelling case of transformative growth driven by its distinctive historical, cultural, and policy landscapes. Since the watershed Đổi Mới reforms of 1986, the country has navigated the complexities of market liberalization, socialist principles, and international integration, achieving remarkable development while preserving its economic sovereignty. Through a mixed-methods approach, this study delves into the impacts of Đổi Mới, assessing the successes and ongoing challenges in Vietnam’s economic restructuring. Results indicate a remarkable shift in GDP contribution from agriculture to industry and services, with a burgeoning private sector and enhanced international trade and investment. However, challenges in achieving equitable growth, inclusive development, and environmental sustainability remain salient amid global economic shifts. Vietnam’s experience underscores the critical need for targeted reforms in workforce development, economic diversity, infrastructural enhancement, environmental stewardship, and regulatory and financial governance. Vietnam’s proactive stance on economic autonomy and global participation highlights the importance of a nuanced approach in navigating the changing international landscape. In summary, Vietnam’s journey through economic structural reform provides a unique perspective on navigating development within a socialist-oriented market framework, serving as a distinctive exemplar for similar emerging economies contending with the vibrant currents of globalization.

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G network technology has changed the production and lifestyle of people. AI also has promoted the transformation of talent training mode under the integration of college industry and education. In the context of the current transformation of education, AI and 5G networks are increasingly used in the education industry. This paper optimizes and upgrades the training mode of skilled talents in higher vocational colleges by using its advanced methods and technologies of information display. This means is helpful to analyze and solve a series of objective problems such as the single training form of the current talent training mode. This paper utilizes the principles and laws of industry university research (IUR) collaboration for reference to construct and optimize the talent training mode based on the analysis of the requirements of talent training and the role of each subject in talent training. Then, the ecological talent training environment can be realized. In the analysis of talent training mode under the cooperation of production and education, the correlation coefficients of network construction, environment construction, scientific research funds, scientific research level, and policy support were 0.618, 0.576, 0.493, 0.785, and 0.451, respectively. This showed that the scientific research level had the greatest impact on talent training in the talent training mode of IUR collaboration, while policy support had less impact on talent training compared with other factors. The combination of AI and 5G network technology with the talent training mode of IUR cooperation can effectively analyze the influencing factors and problems of the talent training mode. The hybrid method is of great significance to the talent training strategy and fitting degree.