Enhancing small and medium-sized businesses through digitalization
Eric Opoku, Maureen Okafor, Mosopefoluwa Williams, Aramide Aribigbola, Adedeji Olaleye
Abstract
SMEs play an important role in all developed and developing countries contributing highly to employment, new business ideas, and the economy. However, owing to various challenges related to the modern digital environment and various limitations in terms of financial and technical capacities as well as digital literacy, there are numerous challenges that SMEs experience in improving their businesses’ performances through effective use of digital technologies. This research aims to examine the adopted trends of SMEs from Slovenia in the deployment of digital technology, the challenges they encounter, and the support they require in their digital evolution. Reacted firms mainly utilize traditional vehicles such as websites and teamwork platforms for online communication and presence. Nevertheless, utilization of such sophisticated digital tools as blockchain is still quite scarce because they are considered challenging to implement and applicable to a narrow range of industries. Variance analysis identifies differences in digitalization challenges between small, micro, and medium enterprises. Small companies confront greater financial constraints and require tailored support compared to larger SMEs, with a focus on improving employee digital competencies. While digitalization brings benefits like elevated processes and remote working, SMEs still struggle with differentiation and cultural changes. The study emphasizes the need to recognize diverse challenges and support the needs of SMEs based on size. It explores the impact of three forms of digitalization - production/logistics, value chains, and big data analytics on technological innovations in German SMEs. Analysis using Mannheim Innovation Panel data finds the innovation effects of digitalization vary across micro, small, and medium firms. Overall impacts are modest and depend on digitalization form and innovation type. Engagement in internal R&D also moderates innovation effects, with digitalization having no impact on product/process innovations for R&D-performing SMEs but positive impacts for non-R&D firms. The findings offer theoretical and policy implications for stakeholders to design comprehensive strategies addressing different challenges within the dynamic digital transformation landscape and promoting progress, especially for resource-constrained small businesses.