INNOVATION METHODOLOGIES AND THEIR ROLE IN LEVERAGING EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND ENABLE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

This study aims to explore the role of innovation methodologies in leveraging emerging technologies to develop innovative solutions and enable the digital transformation journey of Saudi institutions. The research sample consisted of 1,350 employees working in both public and private sector organizations. An online questionnaire was developed to measure the extent of applying innovation methodologies (Innovation acceleration, design thinking, concurrent thinking, and deployment) and the level of adoption of emerging technologies (artificial intelligence, big data, Internet of Things, blockchain, and metaverse). The findings revealed that institutions exhibit a high level of reliance on innovation methodologies, and that such reliance directly contributes to increasing the adoption of emerging technologies. Furthermore, it was found that institutions combining more than one innovation methodology achieve better outcomes in digital transformation indicators compared to those relying on a single methodology.