This paper builds the foundational framework for understanding what a digital nation is and how one is constructed. Drawing on a systematic literature review of 41 peer-reviewed papers selected from 12,624 initially identified, the study identifies three core elements of a digital nation — digital government, digital economy, and digital society — and six challenge categories: people, technology, institutions, policy, economics, and sustainability. The paper also presents solution pathways for each challenge area.
This paper bridges the digital nation and super smart nation frameworks by focusing specifically on the smart nation concept. Analysing 69 peer-reviewed papers selected from 5,958 initially identified, it categorises challenges into seven domains — people and society, technology and innovation, digital infrastructure, politics, governance, economics and business, and sustainability — and presents a holistic national approach to overcoming them. The framework emphasises the roles of government, companies, and people as the three key stakeholders in smart nation development.
This paper extends the research programme to the concept of a super smart nation — a people-centric society powered by advanced technologies including AI, robotics, blockchain, and the Internet of Things. Using a Delphi methodology with 12 international subject-matter experts, the study identifies 68 challenges in 10 categories and 11 solution pillars. The paper presents a comprehensive framework for building a super smart nation by 2035, with particular relevance for nations facing demographic decline, workforce shrinkage, and increasing social security costs.