Abstract:

The process of digital transformation is characterized by structural changes in business operations that extend beyond purely technological adjustments, encompassing modifications in business models as well as broader social shifts. The issue of digital transformation in enterprises holds particular importance in the context of economic development, as forecasts for 2020–2030 indicate that global investment in direct digital transformation will amount to approximately USD 7.4 trillion, with annual growth reaching around 17% (Siarkiewicz, 2020). Within this framework, a significant share of the potential and opportunities associated with digital transformation is attributed to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are regarded as one of the key pillars of the European Union’s contemporary economy. SMEs are particularly adept at identifying niche markets, adapting rapidly to change, and seizing opportunities at an early stage.
This study aims to examine whether and in what ways digital transformation has occurred among SMEs in the European Union between 2017 and 2022, and to identify the key features of this transformation. The research employs both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative dimension is based on a critical review of the relevant literature and a genetic explanation method, which involves tracing the evolution of processes and phenomena over time. The quantitative dimension includes indicator-based analysis and evaluation of digitalization measures applied to the SMEs under study.
In this context, the following research problem has been formulated in the form of a guiding question: