A Systematic Review of Digital Transformation and Smart Campus Adoption in Developing Countries

Abstract

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly shaped by digital transformation. Innovative technologies are improving teaching, learning, and campus management, yet their adoption is uneven across contexts. In many developing countries, smart campus projects hold real promise for narrowing both educational and technological divides. At the same time, they encounter barriers that are deeply rooted in social and technical realities. To explore these challenges, the PRISMA method was applied to analyze 87 studies collected from Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE databases. The review points to recurring obstacles, including weak stakeholder involvement, poor coordination in technology integration, and the lack of frameworks tailored to local needs. The study also found that much of the existing work overlooks important cultural factors, infrastructure limitations, and gaps in digital skills, all of which shape implementation outcomes. By bringing these issues together, the study provides practical direction for policymakers, university leaders, and campus planners. It argues for strategies that are sensitive to local conditions if smart campus adoption in developing regions is to be both effective and sustainable.