
Digital Transformation of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Current Status, Dilemmas, and Strategies
- 1 Nanjing University of Finance & Economics
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
With the rapid advancement of information technology, the digital transformation of SMEs has emerged as a critical topic in the development of the digital economy. The advantages offered by digital technology provide novel opportunities for SME growth. Digital transformation not only serves as a pivotal route for fostering innovation and high-quality development within businesses but also stands as an imperative choice in addressing market competition and uncertainties. However, compared to large corporations, SMEs encounter an array of unique dilemmas and obstacles during their digital transformation journey. These dilemmas frequently include a lack of digital awareness, insufficient funding, weak foundations, and talent shortages. This paper begins by examining the current status of SME digital transformation in terms of exploration phase, geographical distribution, and industry distribution. It then delves deep into the reasons behind the dilemmas faced during the digital transformation of SMEs and proposes a set of countermeasures in response.
Keywords
SMEs, Digitalization, Transformation, Current Status, Strategies
[1]. iResearch Consulting. Digital Transformation Pathways of Chinese SMEs (2022). https://www.iresearch.com.cn/Detail/report?id=4080&isfree=0
[2]. China Electronics Standardization Institute (2022). Analysis Report on the Digital Transformation of SMEs. http://www.cesi.cn/202205/8461.html
[3]. Shi, Y. P., Wang, Y. (2023). Digital Transformation of SMEs: Focus, Challenges, and Pathways. Journal of Xinjiang Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 1-10.
[4]. Tencent. (2021). SME Digital Transformation Path Report. https://cloud.tencent.com/developer/article/1921588
[5]. Wu, J., Chen, H. D., Chen, T. (2023). Exploration of the Digital Transformation Path of SMEs. Journal of Xinjiang Normal University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 1-12.
[6]. Li, Y. J., (2022). Current Situation, Challenges, and Policy Recommendations for SME Digital Transformation. China National Conditions and Strength, (06), 18-22.
[7]. 36Kr. Research Report on the Digital Transformation of SMEs in China (2022). https://www.36kr.com/p/2161085773816320
[8]. Renrui Talent Technology Group, Deloitte. Industry Digital Talent Research and Development Report (2023). https://www2.deloitte.com/cn/zh/pages/human-capital/articles/research-on-the-development-strategy-of-industrial-digital-talents.html
[9]. Li, Y, J. (2022). SME Digital Transformation: Theoretical Logic, Real Dilemmas, and International Experiences. People's Forum· Academic Frontier, (18), 37-51.
[10]. Zhang, X. H. (2020). Obstacles, Driving Factors, and Path Dependence of SME Digital Transformation—Based on a survey of 377 third industry SMEs. China Circulation Economy, 34(12), 72-82.
Cite this article
Pan,S. (2024). Digital Transformation of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Current Status, Dilemmas, and Strategies. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,68,214-220.
Data availability
The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.
Disclaimer/Publisher's Note
The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of EWA Publishing and/or the editor(s). EWA Publishing and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.
About volume
Volume title: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Business and Policy Studies
© 2024 by the author(s). Licensee EWA Publishing, Oxford, UK. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. Authors who
publish this series agree to the following terms:
1. Authors retain copyright and grant the series right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this
series.
2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the series's published
version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial
publication in this series.
3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and
during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See
Open access policy for details).