IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bjc/journl/v11y2024i12p890-900.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Enhancing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Growth through Digital Transformation and Process Optimization: Strategies for Sustained Success

Author

Listed:
  • Chima Azubuike

    (Guaranty Trust Bank (Nigeria) Limited)

  • Aumbur Kwaghter Sule

    (Independent Researcher, Abuja, Nigeria)

  • Peter Adeyemo Adepoju

    (Independent Researcher, United Kingdom)

  • Ugochukwu Francis Ikwuanusi

    (Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas, USA)

  • Chinekwu Somtochukwu Odionu

    (Independent Researcher, Texas, USA)

Abstract

This review paper explores the pivotal role of digital transformation and process optimization in enhancing the growth and sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The paper delves into the definition and importance of digital transformation and process optimization, highlighting how their integration can significantly improve business efficiency, customer satisfaction, and overall growth. Through a general discussion of examples of successful integration, the paper illustrates the synergistic effects of combining digital tools with optimized processes. Strategic recommendations are provided for SMEs to effectively implement these strategies, emphasizing the need for a customer-centric approach, continuous improvement, and workforce upskilling. Additionally, the paper examines future trends such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and the increasing importance of sustainability, offering insights into how SMEs can navigate the evolving digital landscape to achieve sustained success.

Suggested Citation

  • Chima Azubuike & Aumbur Kwaghter Sule & Peter Adeyemo Adepoju & Ugochukwu Francis Ikwuanusi & Chinekwu Somtochukwu Odionu, 2024. "Enhancing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Growth through Digital Transformation and Process Optimization: Strategies for Sustained Success," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 11(12), pages 890-900, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bjc:journl:v:11:y:2024:i:12:p:890-900
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijrsi/digital-library/volume-11-issue-12/890-900.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijrsi/articles/enhancing-small-and-medium-sized-enterprises-smes-growth-through-digital-transformation-and-process-optimization-strategies-for-sustained-success/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ziboud Van Veldhoven & Jan Vanthienen, 2022. "Digital transformation as an interaction-driven perspective between business, society, and technology," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(2), pages 629-644, June.
    2. 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.
    3. Matarazzo, Michela & Penco, Lara & Profumo, Giorgia & Quaglia, Roberto, 2021. "Digital transformation and customer value creation in Made in Italy SMEs: A dynamic capabilities perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 642-656.
    4. Francesco Castagna & Piera Centobelli & Roberto Cerchione & Emilio Esposito & Eugenio Oropallo & Renato Passaro, 2020. "Customer Knowledge Management in SMEs Facing Digital Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-16, May.
    5. Xiaoyan Teng & Zhong Wu & Feng Yang, 2022. "Research on the Relationship between Digital Transformation and Performance of SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-17, May.
    6. Khurana, Indu & Dutta, Dev K. & Singh Ghura, Amarpreet, 2022. "SMEs and digital transformation during a crisis: The emergence of resilience as a second-order dynamic capability in an entrepreneurial ecosystem," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 623-641.
    7. Paul Saah, 2021. "The impact of small and medium-sized enterprises on the economic development of South Africa," Technium Social Sciences Journal, Technium Science, vol. 24(1), pages 549-561, October.
    8. Chun-Liang Chen & Yao-Chin Lin & Wei-Hung Chen & Cheng-Fu Chao & Henry Pandia, 2021. "Role of Government to Enhance Digital Transformation in Small Service Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-24, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Annosi, Maria Carmela & Capo, Francesca & Appio, Francesco Paolo & Bedetti, Ivan, 2023. "Unveiling micro-foundations of digital transformation: Cognitive models, routines, and organizational structures in agri-food SMEs," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    2. Yuchong Hu & Yifan Pan & Miao Yu & Peishen Chen, 2024. "Navigating Digital Transformation and Knowledge Structures: Insights for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(4), pages 16311-16344, December.
    3. Maria Orero-Blat & Daniel Palacios-Marqués & Antonio Luis Leal-Rodríguez & Alberto Ferraris, 2025. "Beyond digital transformation: a multi-mixed methods study on big data analytics capabilities and innovation in enhancing organizational performance," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 649-685, February.
    4. Guanqiao Zhang & Tao Wang & Yuhan Wang & Shuai Zhang & Wenhao Lin & Zixin Dou & Haitao Du, 2023. "Study on the Influencing Factors of Digital Transformation of Construction Enterprises from the Perspective of Dual Effects—A Hybrid Approach Based on PLS-SEM and fsQCA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-22, April.
    5. Siyi Pu & Yitong Ou & Ou Bai, 2025. "Government Public Services and Regional Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development: An Innovation Ecosystem Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Marino-Romero, Jorge Alberto & Palos-Sánchez, Pedro R. & Velicia-Martín, Félix, 2024. "Evolution of digital transformation in SMEs management through a bibliometric analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    7. Jaisy Aghniarahim Putritamara & Budi Hartono & Hery Toiba & Hamidah Nayati Utami & Moh Shadiqur Rahman & Dewi Masyithoh, 2023. "Do Dynamic Capabilities and Digital Transformation Improve Business Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Insights from Beekeeping MSMEs in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-21, January.
    8. Daniela Roxana Vuță & Eliza Nichifor & Ioana Bianca Chițu & Gabriel Brătucu, 2022. "Digital Transformation—Top Priority in Difficult Times: The Case Study of Romanian Micro-Enterprises and SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-14, August.
    9. Koliousis, Ioannis & Al-Surmi, Abdulrahman & Bashiri, Mahdi, 2024. "Artificial intelligence and policy making; can small municipalities enable digital transformation?," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    10. Meng, Tao & Li, Qi & He, Chang & Dong, Zheng, 2025. "Research on the configuration path of manufacturing enterprises' digital servitization transformation," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    11. Gaffar Hafiz Sagala & Dóra Őri, 2024. "Toward SMEs digital transformation success: a systematic literature review," Information Systems and e-Business Management, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 667-719, December.
    12. Yeti Rohayati & Abdillah Abdillah, 2024. "Digital Transformation for Era Society 5.0 and Resilience: Urgent Issues from Indonesia," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-16, December.
    13. Viet Anh Ta & Chieh-Yu Lin, 2023. "Exploring the Determinants of Digital Transformation Adoption for SMEs in an Emerging Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-13, April.
    14. Li, Min & Liu, Na & Kou, Aiju & Chen, Wenchuan, 2023. "Customer concentration and digital transformation," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    15. Li, Pengcheng & Chen, Yanbing & Guo, Xiaochuan, 2025. "Digital transformation and supply chain resilience," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    16. Abhishek Tripathi, 2024. "Mapping the digitalization in SMEs of Middle East region: trends and insights from bibliometric analysis," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-16, December.
    17. Xuejun Jin & Xiao Pan, 2023. "Government Attention, Market Competition and Firm Digital Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-27, June.
    18. Xin Tan & Jinfang Jiao & Ming Jiang & Ming Chen & Wenpeng Wang & Yijun Sun, 2024. "Digital Policy, Green Innovation, and Digital-Intelligent Transformation of Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-23, August.
    19. Zhang, Lu & Balia, Sophee Sulong bin, 2024. "Digital transformation and corporate audit risk: Mediating effects of auditor behavior," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    20. Liu, Chuanhui & Sheng, Zhongyuan & Hu, Xuetong & Tian, Chunxiao, 2025. "Hand in hand or left behind: The dual impact of leading firms’ digital technologies on industry digital transformation," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(PA).

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bjc:journl:v:11:y:2024:i:12:p:890-900. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Dr. Renu Malsaria (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijrsi/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.