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Digitalisation, innovation, and the convergence of social sustainable development goals in the European Union
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DOI：10.1016/j.heliyon.2026.e45170.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
The aim of this paper is to examine the possible existence of convergence clubs among EU countries in relation to the social sustainable development goals (SDGs). This allows us to assess whether EU Member States follow a common trajectory in social SDG achievement or whether differentiated groups of countries can be identified. In addition, we analyse whether innovation and digitalisation are associated with the achievement of the social SDGs. The application of the algorithms proposed by Phillips and Sul reveals divergence in Europe in the achievement of the social SDGs. Thus, two convergence clubs have been identified, with the continent divided into groups presenting homogeneous levels of social performance. Club 1, which is made up of the countries of Northern and Central Europe, Spain and Portugal, registers higher mean values for most of the social SDGs than Club 2 (Eastern Europe and Ireland). Based on the results of the contingency tables, the ꭓ2 test (p-value <0.05) confirms a significant association between the achievement of the social SDGs and digitalisation and innovation. In short, Europe is divided into two areas in terms of both social SDGs achievement and the levels of innovation and digitalisation, with an association found between these two elements. All these findings suggest that countries with higher levels of digitalisation and innovation tend to show better performance in the social SDGs. However, these results should be interpreted as evidence of association rather than causality.
Keywords:
Convergence clubs
Social SDGs
Europe
Innovation
Digitalisation
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