Mitigating Pandemics Through the Adaptation of Digital Technologies – Towards a Digital Resilience Framework

This paper reports a qualitative analysis of the literature search output of studies on digital technology interventions deployed specifically in the G7 countries in response to the recent pandemic. This is followed by interviews with eighteen participants from the G7 countries about their experiences in adapting digital technologies to mitigate the effect of the pandemic. Using a thematic analysis approach, the study uncovers two streams of digital technology resilience: digital resilience in public and private spheres; and healthcare and well-being in the digital age. Together with a set of identified technology-driven and individual-driven resistance and enabling factors, a model of a proposed digital resilience (DigiRES) framework is developed for validation and in-country contextualization. The implications of the study for preparedness for future pandemics or crises are highlighted.