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The Impact of Digital Platforms on Romanian SMEs Competitiveness and Market Access

Author

Listed:
  • Razvan Liviu Nistor

    (Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj Napoca, Cluj Napoca, Romania)

  • Nicoleta Dorina Racolta-Paina

    (Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj Napoca, Cluj Napoca, Romania)

  • Gulsah Sedefoglu

    (Istanbul Ticaret University, Turkey)

  • Paul Baru

    (Organizatia Patronala in Cercetare si Digitalizare, Cluj-Napoca, Romania)

  • Adrian Vasile Covasa

    (Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj Napoca, Cluj Napoca, Romania)

Abstract

Digital transformation has become a defining feature for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as the adoption of digital platforms reshapes their market presence and facilitates access to new markets. The objective of this research was to determine the impact of digital platforms on the competitiveness of the surveyed SMEs and, in parallel, on their access to new markets. Specifically, the study examined the relationship between Romanian SME managers self-reported assessments of their firms competitiveness and their firms access to new markets. The four research hypotheses were derived from established theoretical frameworks, namely, the Resource-Based View (RBV), Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT), and the theory of digital platform ecosystems. Primary quantitative data were collected through a survey administered to Romanian SMEs during October 2025, with the questionnaire completed either by the company s manager or by another company s representative. The analysis of quantitative data for the sample (150 companies) involved computing Cronbach s alpha coefficients and item total correlations to assess the reliability of the multi-item scales used to measure the impact and benefits of platform use. In addition, Spearman s rank correlation coefficient (rho) and the Mann Whitney U test were employed to evaluate the four hypotheses, given the violation of the normality assumption. To appropriately model the ordinal self-assessment data and to control for firm-level characteristics, we estimated a Bayesian ordered logistic regression model. All four research hypotheses were supported, with the important caveat that the empirical results should be interpreted as associative rather than causal relationships. The main conclusions emphasise the necessity of accelerating digitalisation and formulating integrated strategies or comprehensive digital transformation plans, enabling SMEs to fully exploit the opportunities provided by the contemporary digital economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Razvan Liviu Nistor & Nicoleta Dorina Racolta-Paina & Gulsah Sedefoglu & Paul Baru & Adrian Vasile Covasa, 2026. "The Impact of Digital Platforms on Romanian SMEs Competitiveness and Market Access," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 28(72), pages 689-689, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:aes:amfeco:v:28:y:2026:i:72:p:689
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sascha Kraus & Paul Jones & Norbert Kailer & Alexandra Weinmann & Nuria Chaparro-Banegas & Norat Roig-Tierno, 2021. "Digital Transformation: An Overview of the Current State of the Art of Research," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, September.
    2. Agostinho Silva & Isabel Duarte Almeida & Andreia Dionisio & Carlos Rabadão & Carlos Capela, 2025. "How digital technologies enhance competitiveness in manufacturing SMEs," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 1-25, December.
    3. David J. Teece, 2023. "The Evolution of the Dynamic Capabilities Framework," FGF Studies in Small Business and Entrepreneurship, in: Richard Adams & Dietmar Grichnik & Asta Pundziene & Christine Volkmann (ed.), Artificiality and Sustainability in Entrepreneurship, pages 113-129, Springer.
    4. Cenamor, Javier & Parida, Vinit & Wincent, Joakim, 2019. "How entrepreneurial SMEs compete through digital platforms: The roles of digital platform capability, network capability and ambidexterity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 196-206.
    5. Meier, Andrea & Eller, Robert & Peters, Mike, 2025. "Creating competitiveness in incumbent small- and medium-sized enterprises: A revised perspective on digital transformation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General

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