Digital transformations, communications, and interactions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic:

opportunities, challenges, and research agendas

Abstract

Digital transformation is a term used to indicate a set of changes caused by the massive use of digital technologies, implemented in a “disruptive” way in social environments. This literature review study analyses some of these transformations, particularly in the field of digital communications and interactions, against the backdrop of Information Management in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, divising current and future opportunities and challenges. The results are presented in two analytical blocks. In the first, the disruptive scenarios, the changes in styles and in the ways of organizing and performing work, the rapid dissemination of the technologic-based services, the opportunities and challenges are assessed. The second block discusses some of the informational behaviours that, in the pandemic context, have marked the character of digital communications and interactions, focusing on aspects such as use and privacy of data, digital tracking strategies, and the exponential increase in the dissemination of false and outdated and fake news, in a context as pandemic as it is infodemic. In the concluding remarks, some of the critical issues and priority lines of enquiry to figure in current and future research agendas are summarised.