IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i1p535-d717619.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Digital Transformation among SMEs: Does Gender Matter?

Author

Listed:
  • Khorshed Alam

    (School of Business, Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia)

  • Mohammad Afshar Ali

    (School of Business, Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    Allied Health and Human Performance Unit, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Michael O. Erdiaw-Kwasie

    (Sustainable Enterprise Division, Asia Pacific College of Business and Law, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0800, Australia)

  • Peter A. Murray

    (School of Business, Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    Rural Economies Centre of Excellence, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia)

  • Retha Wiesner

    (School of Business, Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield Central, QLD 4300, Australia)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated some of the challenges that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face in times of crisis, disrupting their operations, weakening their financial positions, and exposing them to a wide range of financial risks. While previous studies have viewed digital transformation as a vital source of innovation and productivity growth for economic recovery in SMEs, there has been limited focus on digital transformation in the regional context, with very little attention focused on women-led enterprises. This study aims to investigate (i) the determinants of perception of digital transformation among regional SMEs, and (ii) whether the gender of the SME owner or manager has an impact on the drivers of the digital transformation experiences of SMEs operating in regional Australia. Building upon the resource-based view, this study uses a unique dataset of 281 SMEs collected from a survey conducted within a regional area of Queensland, Australia. Employing Feasible Generalised Least Squares and Generalised Least Squares estimations, the study found that the perceptions of digital transformation can be explained by the use of social network platforms, innovation processes, workplace culture, and information and communication technologies. This study also found that there is a significant difference between female-led and male-led SMEs regarding their perceptions of digital transformation. This study offers two key policy and practical insights: (i) digital transformation of regional SMEs should be used as a fundamental tool for crisis recovery strategies, and (ii) the need for policymakers to mainstream gender into postcrisis transformative interventions and policies should be fast tracked.

Suggested Citation

  • Khorshed Alam & Mohammad Afshar Ali & Michael O. Erdiaw-Kwasie & Peter A. Murray & Retha Wiesner, 2022. "Digital Transformation among SMEs: Does Gender Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:1:p:535-:d:717619
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/1/535/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/1/535/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rahmiye Figen Ceylan & Burhan Ozkan & Esra Mulazimogullari, 2020. "Historical evidence for economic effects of COVID-19," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 21(6), pages 817-823, August.
    2. Ambika Zutshi & John Mendy & Gagan Deep Sharma & Asha Thomas & Tapan Sarker, 2021. "From Challenges to Creativity: Enhancing SMEs’ Resilience in the Context of COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, June.
    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. Chege, Samwel Macharia & Wang, Daoping, 2020. "The influence of technology innovation on SME performance through environmental sustainability practices in Kenya," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    5. 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.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Khorshed Alam & Mohammad Afshar Ali & Michael Erdiaw-Kwasie & Md Shahiduzzaman & Eswaran Velayutham & Peter A. Murray & Retha Wiesner, 2022. "Impact of ICTs on Innovation and Performance of Firms: Do Start-ups, Regional Proximity and Skills Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Zhaocheng Xu & Jingchuan Hou, 2024. "CEO overseas experience, dynamic capabilities and corporate digital transformation: An imprinting theory perspective," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Hengbin Yin & Muhammad Mohsin & Luyao Zhang & Chong Qian & Yan Cai, 2022. "Accessing the Impact of FDI Goals on Risk Management Strategy and Management Performance in the Digital Era: A Case Study of SMEs in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Minu Gupta & Ravi Kiran, 2024. "Sectoral Comparison of Sustainable Digital Financial Inclusion of Women Workforce with the Mediation of Digital Banking Adoption Intention: An Empirical Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(2), pages 21582440241, June.

    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. Zahoor, Nadia & Zopiatis, Anastasios & Adomako, Samuel & Lamprinakos, Grigorios, 2023. "The micro-foundations of digitally transforming SMEs: How digital literacy and technology interact with managerial attributes," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    2. Khorshed Alam & Mohammad Afshar Ali & Michael Erdiaw-Kwasie & Md Shahiduzzaman & Eswaran Velayutham & Peter A. Murray & Retha Wiesner, 2022. "Impact of ICTs on Innovation and Performance of Firms: Do Start-ups, Regional Proximity and Skills Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
    3. 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.
    4. Merín-Rodrigáñez, Joan & Dasí, Àngels & Alegre, Joaquín, 2024. "Digital transformation and firm performance in innovative SMEs: The mediating role of business model innovation," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    5. Francesca Culasso & Elisa Giacosa & Daniele Giordino & Edoardo Crocco, 2022. "Digital transformation: Is Covid-19 a catalyst for micro and small enterprises first steps toward innovation?," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(2 Suppl.), pages 71-94.
    6. Andreea-Diana Suciu (Vodă) & Andra Ioana Maria Tudor & Ioana Bianca Chițu & Lavinia Dovleac & Gabriel Brătucu, 2021. "IoT Technologies as Instruments for SMEs’ Innovation and Sustainable Growth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Chuks Otioma, 2023. "IT Capability, Organisational Learning and Innovation Performance of Firms in Kenya," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(3), pages 3489-3517, September.
    8. Elisa Martina Martinelli & Annalisa Tunisini, 2024. "Digitalization in Italian SMEs: the transformation of marketing channels," Italian Journal of Marketing, Springer, vol. 2024(4), pages 445-474, December.
    9. John Kiplangat Cheruiyot BA DipEd MSc MBA, 2024. "The Resilience of Micro and Small Enterprises in Kenya from a Strategic Perspective: A Systematic Literature Review," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(3s), pages 3197-3218, August.
    10. Paola Paoloni & Martina Manzo & Veronica Procacci, 2023. "The impact of the pandemic crisis on the digital transition process of Italian SMEs," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2023(2 Suppl.), pages 83-107.
    11. Zahid Yousaf & Mosab I. Tabash & Abdelmohsen A. Nassani & Mohamed Haffar, 2023. "How Small and Medium Enterprises Achieve Innovation Performance? An Investigation of Influential Factors," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(3), pages 3395-3408, September.
    12. Muhammad Khan & Amal Nasser Alshahrani & Julija Jacquemod, 2023. "Digital Platforms and Supply Chain Traceability for Robust Information and Effective Inventory Management: The Mediating Role of Transparency," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-20, April.
    13. Chen, Hansong & Tian, Zhen, 2022. "Environmental uncertainty, resource orchestration and digital transformation: A fuzzy-set QCA approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 184-193.
    14. Tianchu Feng & Andrea Appolloni & Jiayu Chen, 2024. "How does corporate digital transformation affect carbon productivity? Evidence from Chinese listed companies," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(12), pages 31425-31445, December.
    15. Charfeddine, Lanouar & Umlai, Mohamed, 2023. "ICT sector, digitization and environmental sustainability: A systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2022," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    16. Fang, Mingyue & Nie, Huihua & Shen, Xinyi, 2023. "Can enterprise digitization improve ESG performance?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    17. Long Xue & Qianyu Zhang & Xuemang Zhang & Chengyu Li, 2022. "Can Digital Transformation Promote Green Technology Innovation?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-20, June.
    18. Zhang Xiufan & Fan Decheng, 2024. "Research on Digital Transformation and Organizational Innovation of Manufacturing Firms Based on Knowledge Field," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(4), pages 15860-15903, December.
    19. Dominik M. Wielgos & Christian Homburg & Christina Kuehnl, 2021. "Digital business capability: its impact on firm and customer performance," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 49(4), pages 762-789, July.
    20. Tim Gruchmann & Nadine Pratt & Jan Eiten & Ani Melkonyan, 2020. "4PL Digital Business Models in Sea Freight Logistics: The Case of FreightHub," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-14, May.

    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:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:1:p:535-:d:717619. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.