This systematic literature review (SLR) aims to synthesize and unravel the reciprocal relationship between digital transformation (DT) and talent management (TM). It seeks to move beyond a purely technological perspective by framing DT as a profoundly human-centric process, where talent and culture are central to organizational change management.
Following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses 2020 statement, a systematic review of 77 peer-reviewed articles (2018–2025) from Scopus was conducted. Thematic analysis identified dominant themes at the intersection of DT and TM, focusing on the most frequently discussed concepts in the literature.
Six interdependent themes structure the human dimensions of DT: digital skills, digital talent, digital talent management, data-driven decision-making, digital culture and digital leadership. The paper synthesizes these themes into a holistic synergistic framework, illustrating how the alignment of human resource strategies with digital objectives is critical for successful organizational change management. The findings reveal that successful DT is contingent upon strategic TM practices that foster continuous learning, talent development and organizational change. Conversely, DT acts as a catalyst, necessitating the evolution of TM into a more agile, data-informed and technologically enabled function.
This SLR makes a significant theoretical contribution by assimilating DT literature through a TM lens, distilling six themes and proposing the synergistic framework. It offers practitioners a structured framework to navigate the human challenges of digital change, emphasizing investment in learning ecosystems, leadership development and cultural adaptation for successful organizational change management. Future research directions are proposed to further explore ethical, contextual and longitudinal dimensions of this evolving symbiosis.
