Balancing Digital Maturity and Operational Performance - Progressing in a Low-digital SME Manufacturing Setting
Oliver Fuglsang Grooss, Mirko Presser, Torben Tambo
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to develop a conceptual approach for SMEs to balance digital initiatives between digital maturity progression and operational performance benefits. Research shows that it is vital that companies digitalize their operations to remain competitive, yet SMEs are far behind with implementing digital initiatives. Therefore, this paper conducts a critical review of the existing literature on digital maturity that highlights the need for a more pragmatic approach for SMEs. From this, an initial framework, which seeks to assist SMEs in prioritizing digital initiatives, is developed, and tested on a single Danish SME. The model offers a pragmatic way of assessing digitalization projects in terms of digital maturity progression and operational performance effects. Future work should focus on testing the framework on more cases, alignment with additional literature, and refining the assessment of operational performance.