<p>Digital transformation has become increasingly important in today’s world. This transformation enables governments and organizations to improve their efficiency and effectiveness by leveraging new technologies. One of the expected outcomes and results of digital transformation is the integration of information and communication technology with the knowledge-based economy. However, the process of digital transformation is complex and multifaceted, and numerous factors can impact its success. The objective of this study is to create a comprehensive framework for identifying and categorizing the factors influencing digital transformation at the national level, particularly for implementation by the Iranian government. To this end, a systematic literature review was conducted, analyzing 70 studies on digital transformation from January 2018 to December 2022 across 12 databases. The relevant data was extracted to achieve the research objectives, which ultimately led to the creation of a two-layer framework of factors affecting digital transformation. The research findings identified themes and sub-themes influencing digital transformation, including sub-themes related to knowledge, literacy, skills, and the knowledge-based economy. These sub-themes implicitly demonstrate the conceptual relationship between digital transformation and the knowledge-based economy. The final framework resulting from this research offers a comprehensive and systematic view of the factors influencing digital transformation from a national perspective. This framework provides valuable insights for governments, organizations, policymakers, and researchers. It allows them to accurately assess the current digital state of the country and implement effective strategies to accelerate digital transformation and leverage it within the knowledge-based economy.</p>