Regresar

Diagnosis of Digital Maturity of SMEs in the Province of Imbabura - Ecuador

Abstract:

Digital transformation is the realignment of technology, business models, and processes to create value for customers and employees in a changing digital economy. The problem addressed in this article is that we currently have a limited understanding of how SMEs in the province face the modernization of their businesses. This research aims to understand how SMEs adapt to digital transformation and identify the individual and group maturity level of three types of business sectors (retail, textile, and industrial). We conducted this research following a mixed approach. Qualitative to understand the adaptation process and quantitative to identify SMEs’ maturity level in Imbabura. The qualitative results obtained are the following: Identification of strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats of the SMEs; In addition, we identified digital transformation activities in five dimensions: strategy, organizational culture, technology, processes, and environment. On a quantitative level, we determined the level of digital maturity of each company, as well as the sectoral group to which it belongs. We concluded that SMEs adapt to new changes empirically and without a strategic plan; business processes and customer experience are the most challenging dimensions.