Innovating for social good: digital transformation and crisis-based entrepreneurial opportunities

Purpose: This research explores how Social Organizations (SOs) leverage digital transformation during crises, focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the links between digital innovation, business model adaptation, and social impact, offering frameworks for resilience in challenging contexts. Design/methodology/approach: The research employs qualitative methodologies to analyze data from 481 project proposals submitted by Italian SOs in response to a crisis-oriented grant initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic. The methodological approach combines systematic coding procedures and analytical frameworks, validated through expert consultation to ensure methodological rigor. Findings: The analysis identifies four strategic approaches to digital transformation: product reconfiguration, business model adaptation, organizational change, and network development. These findings reveal varying digital adoption capabilities among SOs, emphasizing the need for context-specific implementation strategies. Research limitations/implications: The research scope is limited by its focus on Italian SOs, potentially affecting result generalizability. Future research directions should encompass cross-cultural comparative analyses and longitudinal investigations of digital strategy evolution. Practical implications: The research provides strategic frameworks for organizational leaders implementing digital transformation initiatives. Additionally, it offers guidance for policy development and investment allocation in supporting SO digital capability development. Social implications: The integration of digital transformation strategies with social objectives enables SOs to enhance service delivery effectiveness, improve accessibility, and strengthen inclusive practices, ultimately amplifying their societal impact potential. Originality/value: This study addresses how SOs manage digital transformation and entrepreneurial opportunities during crises, contributing to literature by integrating digitalization, entrepreneurial management, and business model innovation perspectives.