Mapping the digital transformation–internationalization nexus during pandemics: A systematic review and topic modeling approach for future resilience

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation across global industries, but its complex relationship with internationalization remains underexplored. This study addresses a critical gap by systematically reviewing how digital transformation has influenced international business operations during pandemics. Drawing from 56 peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Web of Science and analyzed using BERTopic modeling, we uncover key thematic clusters that illustrate how firms leveraged digital technologies – such as virtual collaboration platforms, Big Data Analytics, and Industry 4.0 solutions – to sustain and adapt their global activities. The findings reveal that while digital transformation has facilitated international resilience, significant challenges persist, including technological disparities, trust issues, and insufficient digital infrastructure in emerging markets. This review contributes to theory by integrating fragmented discussions into a unified thematic structure and introduces a novel bibliometric-methodological approach to exploring digital internationalization. Practical insights are offered for policymakers and business leaders to enhance future pandemic preparedness through inclusive digital strategies, cross-border collaboration, and targeted capability development. By bridging scholarly and practical gaps, the study provides a roadmap for sustainable and resilient international operations in the face of future global disruptions.