Exploring the Landscape of Digital Transformation in Small and Medium Enterprises: A Bibliometric Analysis

Bibliometric analysis; Digital transformation; Small and medium enterprises; Bibliometrics analysis; Cloud-computing; Data analytics; Digital technologies; Digital tools; Key technologies; Manufacturing sector; Operational functions; Small-and-medium enterprise; Control and Systems Engineering; Signal Processing; Computer Networks and Communications

Abstract :

[en] Purpose: The study aims to investigate the digital transformation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by analyzing research articles published between 2014 and 2024 in the field of business. Method: A total of 102 studies were selected based on inclusion criteria like containing keywords related to digital transformation and SME concepts, being published in English, and falling within the specified timeframe. Results: The bibliometric analysis revealed a growing trend of SMEs adopting digital technologies, particularly in the manufacturing sector. Key technologies highlighted include, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, internet of Things and cloud computing. The study also emphasized the benefits of digital tools in enhancing operational functions, addressing challenges like the COVID-19 crisis, and improving productivity. Conclusion: The findings underscore the increasing importance of digital transformation for SMEs, offering opportunities for efficiency gains, cost reduction, and enhanced customer interactions. Embracing digital technologies not only modernizes businesses but also empowers employees to develop digital skills and adapt to the evolving digital landscape, ultimately positioning SMEs for sustainable growth and competitiveness in the digital era.

Disciplines :

General management, entrepreneurship & organizational theory

Author, co-author :

Ilahiane, Nawal ; The Research Laboratory in Digital Management, Innovation and Logistics (MADILOG), Ibn ZOHR University, ENCG Agadir, Agadir, Morocco ; Department of Accounting, Audit, Risk Management and Entrepreneurship, The University of Mons-Hainaut, Mons, Belgium

Aziki, Abdellatif ; The Research Laboratory in Digital Management, Innovation and Logistics (MADILOG), Ibn ZOHR University, ENCG Agadir, Agadir, Morocco

Fadili, Moulay Hachem ; The Research Laboratory in Digital Management, Innovation and Logistics (MADILOG), Ibn ZOHR University, ENCG Agadir, Agadir, Morocco

Colot, Olivier ; Université de Mons - UMONS > Faculté Warocqué d'Economie et de Gestion > Service de Comptabilité,Audit, Risk management et Entrepreneuriat

Bauweraerts, Jonathan ; Université de Mons - UMONS > Faculté Warocqué d'Economie et de Gestion > Service de Comptabilité,Audit, Risk management et Entrepreneuriat

Language :

English

Title :

Exploring the Landscape of Digital Transformation in Small and Medium Enterprises: A Bibliometric Analysis

Publication date :

18 March 2025

Event name :

Worlds4

Event place :

London, Gbr

Event date :

23-07-2024 => 26-07-2024

Audience :

International

Main work title :

Intelligent Sustainable Systems - Selected Papers of WorldS4 2024

Editor :

Nagar, Atulya

Publisher :

Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH

ISBN/EAN :

9789819786947

Pages :

277-286

Peer review/Selection committee :

Peer reviewed

Additional URL :

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-981-97-8695-4_26

Research unit :

W711 - Comptabilité, Audit, Risk management et Entrepreneuriat

Research institute :

Soci&Ter

Available on ORBi UMONS :

since 08 January 2026

Statistics

Number of views

3 (1 by UMONS)

Number of downloads

0 (0 by UMONS)

More statistics

Scopus citations^®

Scopus citations^®
without self-citations

OpenCitations

OpenAlex citations

Bibliography

Zhang X, Xu Y, Ma L (2022) Research on Successful Factors and Influencing Mechanism of the Digital Transformation in SMEs. Sustainability 14(5):2549. https://doi.org/10.3390/su1 4052549
Li L, Su F, Zhang W, Mao J-Y (2018) Digital transformation by SME entrepreneurs: A capability perspective. Inf Syst J 28(6):1129–1157. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12153
Wu Y, Li Z (2024) Transformation numérique, entrepreneuriat et innovation de rupture: preuves de la numérisation des entreprises en Chine de 2010 à 2021. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 11:163. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02378-3
Kraus, S., Durst, S., Ferreira, J. J., Veiga, P., Kailer, N., & Weinmann, A. (2022). DigitaL Transformation in Business and Management Research: An overview of the current status quo. International Journal of Information Management, 63(August 2020)). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102466
Vial G (2019) Understanding digital transformation: A review and a research agenda. J Strateg Inf Syst 28(2):118–144
Barmuta KA, Akhmetshin EM, Andryushchenko IE, Tagibova AA, Meshkova GV, Zekiy AO (2020) Problems of business processes transformation in the context of building digital economy. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues 8(1):945–959
Jose Antonio Clemente-Almendros, J. A., Nicoara-Popescu, D., Pastor-Sanz, I. (2024). Digital transformation in SMEs: Understanding its determinants and size heterogeneity. Technology in Society,Volume 77,102483, ISSN 0160–791X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102483.
Markovitch S, Willmott P, P. (2014) Accelerating the Digitization of Business Processes. McKinsey Corporate Finance Business Practise 2014:1–4
Kane, G.C. et al., (2015). «Strategy, Not Technology, Drives Digital Transformation». MIT Sloan Management Review, P.1–25.(19)
Mia Mahmudur R., Samuel O.I. (2015). Social Audit Regulation. Development, Challenges and Opportunities. Springer Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15838-9
Tricco AC, Lillie E, Zarin W, O’Brien KK, Colquhoun H, Levac D, Moher D, Peters MDJ, Horsley T, Weeks L (2018) PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation. Ann Intern Med 169(7):467–473
Donthu N, Kumar S, Mukherjee D, Pandey N, Lim WM (2021) Comment effectuer une analyse bibliométrique: un aperçu et des lignes directrices. Journal de recherche commerciale 133:285– 296
Busulwa, R. et Evans, N., (2021): Digital Transformation in Accounting, Australy.
Minh, L. (2021). A Journey of Digital Transformation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Vietnam: Insights from Multiple Cases . Journal Asian Finance Economics and Business, Vol°1, n° 10, p.77-85
Fehér, P., Szabó, Z., et Varga, K. (2017). « Analysing Digital Transformation among Hungarian Organizations ». BLED 2017 Proceedings. 40
Dominik T., Vladimír M., Helmut Z. (2020). Industry 4.0 for SMEs Challenges, Opportunities and Requirements .
Tarutė, A., Duobienė, J., Klovienė, L., Vitkauskaitė, E. et Varaniūtė V., (2018). Identifying factors affecting digital transformation of SMEs . La 18ème Conférence internationale sur le commerce électronique, p. 373-383
Schwertner, K. (2017). DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF BUSINESS.