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Determinants of digitization in SMEs

Author

Listed:
  • Agata Marcysiak

    (Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Poland)

  • Żanna Pleskacz

    (Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Poland)

Abstract

The aim of the study is to present the conditions for introducing digitization in enterprises of the Polish SME sector, with particular emphasis on the changes brought about by the pandemic. The study analyses the degree of digitization which has taken place in the Polish economy in comparison with the EU average, with particular emphasis on SMEs, by making recourse to the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI).This study presents the results of my own research on the determinants of digitization in enterprises. The subject of the research was a group of enterprises classified as SMEs in Poland. The survey was conducted in March 2021 using electronic tools in the form of an online survey. After substantive and logical verification, 120 questionnaires were selected for further analysis.The analysis of enterprises from the SME sector showed that over 44% of enterprises operate on the basis of action plans not exceeding one year. This type of planning was particularly common in micro-enterprises employing up to 10 people and running a service activity. Digitization acted as an important process in the activities of the analysed enterprises. Every fifth surveyed enterprise had plans to invest in software and digital solutions for enterprises; and wanted to implement these plans within the next year. The most common area of activity and implementation of digital solutions was sales and distribution. This was due to the need during the pandemic to build new distribution channels for products or services through the increasingly important e-commerce market. Research has shown that the Covid situation has led to significant changes taking place in the economy of enterprises. More than half of the analysed enterprises indicated a lack of financial resources as a barrier when introducing cloud solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Agata Marcysiak & Żanna Pleskacz, 2021. "Determinants of digitization in SMEs," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 9(1), pages 300-318, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:ssi:jouesi:v:9:y:2021:i:1:p:300-318
    DOI: 10.9770/jesi.2021.9.1(18)
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ardito, Lorenzo & Raby, Simon & Albino, Vito & Bertoldi, Bernardo, 2021. "The duality of digital and environmental orientations in the context of SMEs: Implications for innovation performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 44-56.
    2. Ballestar, María Teresa & Díaz-Chao, Ángel & Sainz, Jorge & Torrent-Sellens, Joan, 2020. "Knowledge, robots and productivity in SMEs: Explaining the second digital wave," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 119-131.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sylvia Jenčová & Petra Vašaničová & Marta Miškufová, 2023. "Multidimensional Evaluation of EU and Slovakia in the Context of Digital Transformation," Central European Business Review, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2023(1), pages 65-95.
    2. 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.
    3. Kęstutis Peleckis, 2021. "Application of the DEMATEL Model for Assessing IT Sector’s Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-14, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    outsourcing; sustainable development; core competencies; company management;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L22 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Organization and Market Structure
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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