Social capital and digital transformation of startups in Vietnam: the mediating role of access to resources

The purpose of this study is to use social capital theory to explain how startups in Vietnam undergo the digital transformation process. The study investigates the connection between social capital, resource access, and digital transformation in Vietnamese startups. 230 managers were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Model (PLS-SEM). The study found a positive correlation between social capital, resource access, and digital transformation. Additionally, the study looked at the role of resource access as a mediator between social capital and digital transformation. The findings of this study hold immense importance for managers seeking to establish social capital with stakeholders, including government agencies, customers, competitors, and suppliers in the digital platform services industry. Leveraging social capital can increase managers’ access to crucial resources, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study acknowledges its limitations and identifies areas for future research.