Aug 2026· Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research· Vol 16· 0 citations· 23 references
TL;DR
The findings indicate that e-commerce, cloud computing, customer relationship management, and digital marketing tools supported operational coordination, market reach, and customer engagement, but limited digital skills, implementation costs, cybersecurity risks, and infrastructure constraints restricted deeper adoption.
Abstract
Digital transformation shapes the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies. This study examines digital technology adoption, perceived benefits, and implementation barriers among SMEs in India, Brazil, and South Africa. A qualitative multiple-case design was employed, based on 800 semi-structured interviews with SME owners, managers, and key decision-makers. A common interview guide was used across the countries, and data were organised in NVivo and analysed through thematic coding. The findings indicate that e-commerce, cloud computing, customer relationship management, and digital marketing tools supported operational coordination, market reach, and customer engagement. However, limited digital skills, implementation costs, cybersecurity risks, and infrastructure constraints restricted deeper adoption. Integrating the Technology-Organization-Environment framework with the Resource-Based View, the study shows that digital transformation outcomes depend on the alignment of technological access, organisational capabilities, and external institutional support. The study provides comparative evidence and policy implications for strengthening SME digitalisation in emerging economies.
This study aims to elucidate the impact of digital transformation on the competitive advantage
of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam, based on the perspectives and lived
experiences of senior managers. Adopting a qualitative research method with a multiple case
study strategy, data were collected through 16 semi-structured in-depth interviews with leaders
and analyzed thematically. The results indicate that digital transformation is not merely a costoptimization tool but has become a strategic lever that redefines competitive advantage,
shifting from price-based competition to competition based on speed, customer experience, and
flexibility. Key impacts include: enhancing operational efficiency through automation,
personalizing customer relationships via data analytics, enabling data-driven decisionmaking, and facilitating the experimentation of new business models. In terms of practical
implications, the study emphasizes that the success of digital transformation depends more on
the mindset shift of leadership and organizational culture than on technology. It also suggests
that SMEs should prioritize projects with a clear return on investment (ROI) and that
policymakers should provide more substantive support in consulting and training. The
originality of this research lies in its use of an interpretive approach to deeply explore the
perceptions of managers within an emerging economy, thereby providing a practical, humancentric perspective that complements previous quantitative studies
Chu The Tiep· International Journal of Eco...· 0 citations
Industrial symbiosis (IS) and digital industrial symbiosis (DIS) are widely advocated as essential strategies for furthering circular economy (CE) goals within the European Union; yet empirical evidence about the preparedness of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) to use these methods is still scarce. This study investigates the organizational, technological, and perceptual aspects influencing SMEs’ preparedness to adopt IS and DIS, emphasizing digital maturity, perceived benefits, barriers, and the institutional support conditions. A convergent mixed-methods methodology was employed, combining qualitative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with SMEs and intermediary organizations, alongside quantitative data from a structured survey conducted across various European countries. The study examined the relationships between adoption readiness and digital maturity, perceived benefits, barriers, and institutional support conditions, while qualitative insights offered further contextual comprehension of trust, governance, and implementation conditions. The findings indicate that digital maturity and perceived benefits are the primary determinants of adoption readiness, but perceived barriers and institutional support predominantly influence implementation feasibility rather than initial willingness. This study differentiates between motivational readiness and structural feasibility, thereby enhancing adoption models and offering insights for policymakers, intermediaries, and practitioners involved in the design of digital industrial symbiosis platforms and SME support instruments.
Valerij Dermol, Špela Dermol· Human Systems Management· 0 citations
Purpose: This study examines the influence of digital transformation (DT) on the sustainable performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa. Digital transformation is gradually identified as a driver of competitiveness, allowing businesses to adjust to technological and market changes.
Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was used for the study, drawing responses from a sample size of 213 SME owners and managers in the City of Matlosana Municipality, South Africa. Respondents were identified through a random sampling method. Hypothesised relationships were examined using Structural Equation Modelling with Smart-Partial Least Squares as the analytical tool.
Findings/results: The results show that Digital Intensity significantly and positively influences financial, environmental, and social performance (SP), highlighting its role as a primary driver of SME sustainability. In contrast, Transformation Management Intensity shows no significant effects across these performance dimensions, suggesting that managerial effort without robust digital capabilities is insufficient to deliver measurable sustainability outcomes.
Practical implications: The study contributes to Resource-Based View by demonstrating that digital resources function as critical enablers of long-term competitiveness and sustainability in SMEs. For practice, these findings underline the need for prioritising investment in digital tools and skills. Policymakers and support agencies should consider targeted initiatives, including training, funding and infrastructure support, to address barriers that constrain SME DT.
Originality/value: The study offers empirical data from a developing market, integrating financial, environmental and SP into the examination of DT. It advances current debates by distinguishing between the roles of digital resources and managerial transformation efforts in shaping SME sustainability.
R. K. Letshaba, Lebogang Mosupye-Semenya· South African Journal of Bus...· 0 citations
The objective of this study was to analyze the role of digital transformation as a determinant of competitiveness in small and medium-sized enterprises and evaluate its impact on organizational efficiency, innovation capacity, sustainability, and strategic development. The study was developed using a qualitative analytical methodology supported by a comprehensive narrative literature review. Scientific articles, institutional reports, systematic reviews, and academic investigations published between 2021 and 2026 were analyzed through recognized scientific databases and academic repositories. The findings demonstrated that digital transformation significantly strengthens organizational competitiveness by improving operational efficiency, strategic decision-making, innovation processes, customer engagement, and market expansion. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, electronic commerce, automation systems, cloud computing, and digital payment platforms were identified as essential tools for enhancing organizational adaptability and business sustainability. However, the study also revealed important challenges related to financial limitations, cybersecurity risks, digital inequality, insufficient technological infrastructure, and lack of digital competencies. Overall, digital transformation was identified as a structural and irreversible process capable of redefining the future of small and medium-sized enterprises, organizational competitiveness, and sustainable economic development in the digital era.
Marjan Daman Keshideh, Matin Shahi· Sophia Research Review· 0 citations
Digital transformation has become a strategic determinant of firm performance in competitive and technology-driven business environments. For small and medium-sized enterprises, the adoption of digital tools and digitally enabled processes is essential for improving internal efficiency, strengthening competitiveness, and increasing organizational adaptability. This paper examines the impact of digital transformation on the performance of SMEs in Romania, with particular emphasis on competitiveness and organizational efficiency. The study proposes a quantitative research design based on survey data collected from Romanian SMEs operating in different economic sectors. The analytical framework considers several dimensions of digital transformation, including process digitalization, the use of management software, e-commerce adoption, digital communication with customers, and the integration of digital tools into managerial decision-making. These dimensions are examined in relation to performance indicators such as operational efficiency, responsiveness to market changes, customer relationship quality, decision-making effectiveness, and perceived competitive position. The paper also develops a theoretical framework linking digital transformation with firm performance by drawing on the theory of the firm, transaction cost economics, behavioral economics, innovation theory, and industrial organization. The expected contribution is twofold: first, it clarifies the mechanisms through which digital technologies may improve efficiency and competitiveness; second, it provides a structured empirical model that can be applied to assess digital maturity and performance outcomes among Romanian SMEs. The study is relevant for managers seeking to implement digital strategies and for policy-makers interested in supporting SME digitalization, productivity, and sustainable development.
Ciprian-Constantin Pătrăuceanu, Oleg Petelca, Iurie et al.· The Annals of the University...· 0 citations
Analysis of how digital platforms—such as fintech, digital payments, and e-commerce—can facilitate the growth and economic resilience of SMEs within emerging markets indicates that perceived utility and ease of use depend on structural and ecological preparedness.
N. Mokone, Tonderai Kapesa· International Journal of Bus...· 0 citations
