Advancing IT Competency for Digital Transformation and Learning Ecosystem Expansion: An Integrative Review and Practical Framework

Digital transformation has shifted from a technology modernization agenda to a capability agenda—one that depends on how effectively organizations develop, govern, and sustain IT competencies across cloud platforms, cybersecurity, data and AI, and digitally mediated learning and service ecosystems. This integrative review synthesizes peer-reviewed research and authoritative standards (2018-2025) to identify core competency domains and organizational enablers required to transcend incremental, legacy-bound models. <i>Findings converge on five domains—(1) cloud and platform engineering, (2) cybersecurity and digital trust, (3) data, AI and automation (including generative AI governance), (4) experience engineering and service design, and (5) learning ecosystem engineering—supported by cross-cutting mechanisms in architecture, risk management, talent pathways, and change leadership.</i> Building on this synthesis, the paper proposes an actionable competency-based framework and a phased implementation roadmap that organizations can use to assess readiness, prioritize investments, and operationalize continuous upskilling. The central contribution is practical and policy-relevant: it positions IT competency as the enterprise control point that converts technology investments into resilience, inclusion, and measurable operational performance in the information age.