The digital era presents a great opportunity for governments to redesign the way in which they provide their services to citizens who demand for new answers, but it is difficult for governments in emerging and developing countries to tackle the so many barriers that hinder their catching up process, when managed correctly, partnering with the private sector (PPPs) may become an opportunity. The implications of GovTech ecosystems in emerging and developing countries needs to be explored. DIGG is interested in researching these ecosystem conditions and attributes where governments collaborate with startups and SMEs that use data intelligence, digital technologies and innovative methodologies to develop products and services that attempt to tackle public problems.

Whether it is demand-pull or technology push, the process of driving technology and know-how from the labs to the markets is of special interest to emerging and developing countries. Latecomers to economic development understand well how scientific research contributes to encouraging innovation, however challenges such as lacking resources for domestic R&D efforts or low absorptive capacity in their industries, makes the promotion of R&BD collaboration a potential answer to drive global growth between developed and developing countries

The new digital & data-driven technological trends are redefining the future of most industries and governments by altering mainly business models, organization and market dynamics. Many phenomena are yet to be systematically reported and contributions for emerging and developing countries are required to encourage policy development, industrial diversification, and the analysis on how these technologies enable value generation and global growth.

Digital transformation is not about technology, it's rather a human-centric phenomena. Thus, to build resilient industrial development social infrastructure, understood as norms, values, culture, capabilities and competences need to be developed.