Digital Communication Transformation: Impact on Undergraduate Students in the Platform Economy

Abstract

Digital communication transformation influences both our communication habits and organizational structures of enterprises because nowadays digital communication represents the main element of human interactions and economic activities. After the pandemic, the role of digital communication in education has become crucial due to the forced transition to Education 4.0 paradigm generated by the 2021 lockdown. The main purpose of this study is to examine the influence of digital communication transformations on undergraduate students, as well as to understand how these changes affect students’ personal and academic communication. The methodological approach of this research paper applies a qualitative perspective by the means of an online survey disseminated to students (n=167) from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. Findings of this survey reveal the profound impact of digital communication transformation on undergraduate students’ habits and perceptions. Additionally, the results of this study suggest that digital communication facilitates more frequent and efficient interactions with both peers and professors, which enhance academic and personal engagement. Main conclusion of this research article suggest that digital communication instruments play a central role in Education 4.0 and must be adopted by all educational institutions with the aim of equipping students with digital skills that are mandatory in the digital era. Further research should focus on examining the effects of certain digital tools on students’ academic performance and motivation, as well as on the impact of digital communication on the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53486/cike2024.12; UDC: 004.7:378.22-057.875(498); JEL Classification: O33, I23, Z18