The digital humanism era triggered by individual creativity

Shifting from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0, the digital transformation (DT) has encouraged new debates on human skills as opposed to technologies. It has delivered positive and negative perspectives, focusing on the dilemma of how human skills can influence the DT. The present research explores human skills in the entrepreneurial world, considering its three main forms of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in relation to the DT. This has mostly occurred in the knowledge-intensive business service (KIBS) industry in which humans have a predominant role. Under the lens of social cognitive theory, this study has examined a range of 370 KIBS companies across different sectors in Europe and the resulting individual creativity and innovation represent a (motivator) or a catalyst, which drives and nurtures DT. Theoretically, a new concept emerges, namely digital humanism, which involves emphasizing the relevance of human skills. Moreover, the study suggests that governments and policymakers encourage creative working activities by exploiting technologies to develop innovations. In this sense, technologies assume a positive connotation, leveraged by entrepreneurship knowledge-intensive business service; digital humanism; Creativity; Digital transformation; entrepreneurial spirit.

Automated summary

Shifting from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0, the digital transformation has sparked debates on the influence of human skills in contrast to technologies. This study examines how creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit in the knowledge-intensive business service industry relate to the digital transformation. Using the social cognitive theory, the research analyzes 370 KIBS companies across different sectors in Europe and finds that individual creativity and innovation act as motivators and catalysts for digital transformation. A new concept, digital humanism, emerges emphasizing the importance of human skills. The study suggests that governments and policymakers should encourage creative working activities and leverage technologies to foster innovations.