The role of digital transformation in the internationalization process – a synthesis and way forward
系统综述了数字化转型如何影响企业国际化进程，整合了国际商务、战略和信息系统领域的碎片化研究，提出了一个连接前因、障碍、能力与结果的理论框架，并为企业管理者提供了决策参考。
Purpose This paper systematically reviews and synthesizes how digital transformation (DT) shapes the internationalization process (IP) of firms. It develops an integrative, theory-informed framework that links antecedents, barriers, capabilities and outcomes to digital business models (e.g., platform, subscription, freemium). The review addresses fragmentation across international business, strategy, and information systems, clarifying the mechanisms through which DT enables cross-border entry, scaling and performance. It also delineates research gaps and offers a future agenda and decision-relevant guidance for managers. Design/methodology/approach We conducted a systematic literature review of Scopus-indexed, peer-reviewed journals, applying qualitative thematic analysis to 31 articles published between 1973 and 2025 across the DT and IP literature. Findings This review identifies important dominant themes that structure the field: antecedents (external and internal), processes that include barriers (technological, organizational and institutional), capabilities, business models (platform, subscription and freemium) and outcomes (market entry, performance and competitiveness), which shape the internationalization process. Originality/value The study bridges fragmented research streams on DT and IP, offering a theoretically grounded framework that integrates organizational, institutional and resource-based perspectives. We also propose a future research agenda based on dynamic capabilities, institutional voids and sector-specific transformation.