Factors Influencing Digitalization Adoption in Romanian SMEs
References
- Wang, S., Li, X., Li, Z., & Ye, Y. (2023). The effects of government support on enterprises’ digital transformation: Evidence from China. Managerial and Decision Economics, 44(5), 2520–2539. https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.3831
- Sadoi, Y., & Shaposhnikov, S. (2023). Government support measures for digital transformation of small and medium-size enterprises. Asia and Africa Today, (1), 42–48. https://doi.org/10.31857/S032150750020537-2
- Mai, B. T., Nguyen, P. V., Ton, U. N. H., & Ahmed, Z. U. (2024). Government policy, IT capabilities, digital transformation, and innovativeness in post-COVID context: Case of Vietnamese SMEs. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 32(2), 333–356. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-11-2022-3480
- Zhu, J., Baker, J. S., Song, Z., Cheng, S., & Sun, M. (2023). Government regulatory policies for digital transformation in small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises: An evolutionary game analysis. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10, Article 751. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02250-4
- Strilets, V., Frolov, S., Datsenko, V., Tymoshenko, O., & Yatsko, M. (2022). State support for the digitalization of SMEs in European countries. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 20(4), 290–305. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.20(4).2022.22
- Bhuiyan, M. R. I., Ullah, M. W., Ahmed, S., Bhuyan, M. K., & Sultana, T. (2024). Information security for an information society for accessing secured information: A PRISMA based systematic review. International Journal of Religion, 5(11), 932–946. https://doi.org/10.61707/frfnr583
- Zhuo, C., & Chen, J. (2023). Can digital transformation overcome the enterprise innovation dilemma: Effect, mechanism and effective boundary. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 190, Article 122378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122378
- Jafari-Sadeghi, V., Amoozad Mahdiraji, H., Alam, G. M., & Mazzoleni, A. (2023). Entrepreneurs as strategic transformation managers: Exploring micro-foundations of digital transformation in small and medium internationalisers. Journal of Business Research, 154, 113287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.08.051
- Cazoni, C., Muresan, L., Popescu, A., & Marinescu, R. (2024). Digital transformation of management processes: A comprehensive review of key factors. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence (Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 3387–3420). Bucharest University of Economic Studies. https://doi.org/10.2478/picbe-2024-0276
- Zvirgzdina, R., Skadina, H., & Linina, I. (2023). Appropriate communication of the strategy as an impact factor for business model digitalization. WSEAS Transactions on Business and Economics, 20, Article 151, 1709–1718.
- Androniceanu, A., Sabie, O. M., Georgescu, I., & Drugău-Constantin, A. L. (2023). Main factors and causes that are influencing the digital competences of human resources. Administrație și Management Public, 41, 26–53. https://doi.org/10.24818/amp/2023.41-02
- Urraca-Ruiz, A., Torracca, J., Machado, T. V. F., Britto, J., & Ferraz, J. C. (2023, July). Factors determining changes in the expectation patterns along the path of digital technologies adoption. Paper presented at the 35th SASE Annual Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Torracca, J., Britto, J., & Ferraz, J. C. (2022). Fatores determinantes da trajetória de adoção de tecnologias digitais nas empresas industriais brasileiras. Blucher Engineering Proceedings.
- Gargallo-Castel, A., & Ramírez-Alesón, M. (2008). Human resources as facilitators of the adoption of information and communication technologies. International Journal of Information Technology Management, 7, 405–420.
- Lemlem, V. C., Fanti, L., Mina, A., & Ricci, A. (n.d.). Digitalizing firms: Skills, work organization and the adoption of new enabling technologies. Lemlem Working Paper Series.
- Zhang, S., & Chi, X. (2022). [Retracted] Application of digital information technology in enterprise innovation management. Mobile Information Systems, 2022, Article 9187856. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9187856
- Bernal, P., Carree, M., & Lokshin, B. (2022). Knowledge spillovers, R&D partnerships and innovation performance. Technovation, 115, 102456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2022.102456
- Barbour, R. (2018). Doing focus groups (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.
- Gibbs, A. (1997). Focus groups. Social Research Update, (19). University of Surrey. Retrieved February 3, 2025, from https://sru.soc.surrey.ac.uk/SRU19.html
- Krueger, R. A., & Casey, M. A. (2014). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research (5th ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.
- Morgan, D. L. (1997). Focus groups as qualitative research (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.
- Stewart, D. W., & Shamdasani, P. N. (2014). Focus groups: Theory and practice (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.
- Adian, I., Doumbia, D., Gregory, N. F., Ragoussis, A., Reddy, A. A., & Timmis, J. (2020). Small and Medium Enterprises in the Pandemic: Impact, Responses and the Role of Development Finance (Policy Research Working Paper No. 9414). World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450-9414
- Afsar, B., & Badir, Y. (2016). The mediating role of psychological empowerment on the relationship between person-organization fit and innovative work behaviour. Journal of Chinese Human Resource Management, 7(1), 5–26. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHRM-11-2015-0016
- Andersen, T. C. K., Aagaard, A., & Magnusson, M. (2022). Exploring business model innovation in SMEs in a digital context: Organizing search behaviours, experimentation and decision-making. Creativity and Innovation Management, 31(1), 19–34. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12402
- Añón Higón, D., & Bonvin, D. (2024). Digitalization and trade participation of SMEs. Small Business Economics, 62, 857–877. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-023-00799-7
- Azevedo, A., & Almeida, A. H. (2021). Grasp the challenge of digital transition in SMEs—A training course geared towards decision-makers. Education Sciences, 11(4), 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11040151
- Beliaeva, T., Ferasso, M., Kraus, S., & Damke, E. J. (2020). Dynamics of digital entrepreneurship and the innovation ecosystem: A multilevel perspective. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 26(2), 266–284. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-02-2019-0092
- Bär, K., Herbert-Hansen, Z. N. L., & Khalid, W. (2018). Considering Industry 4.0 aspects in the supply chain for an SME. Production Engineering, 12(6), 747–758. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11740-018-0835-z
- Bloom, N., Lemos, R., Sadun, R., Scur, D., & Van Reenen, J. (2014). JEEA-FBBVA Lecture 2013: The new empirical economics of management. Journal of the European Economic Association, 12(4), 835–876. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeea.12094
- Chen, D. Q., Preston, D. S., & Swink, M. (2015). How the use of big data analytics affects value creation in supply chain management. Journal of Management Information Systems, 32(4), 4–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.2015.1120764
- Chen, H., Li, L., & Chen, Y. (2021). Exploring success factors that impact artificial intelligence adoption in the telecom industry in China. Journal of Management Analytics, 8(1), 36–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/23270012.2020.1779329
- Clauss, T., Bouncken, R. B., Laudien, S., & Kraus, S. (2019). Business model reconfiguration and innovation in SMEs: A mixed‐method analysis from the electronics industry. International Journal of Innovation Management, 24(2), 2050015. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1363919620500152
- Cosenz, F., & Bivona, E. (2021). Fostering growth patterns of SMEs through business model innovation: A tailored dynamic business modelling approach. Journal of Business Research, 130, 658–669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.03.003
- European Commission. (2024). Romania 2024 Digital Decade country report. Retrieved January 20, 2025, from https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/factpages/romania-2024-digital-decade-country-report
- Foris, T., Tecău, A., Dragomir, C., & Foriș, D. (2022). The start-up manager in times of crisis: Challenges and solutions for increasing the resilience of companies and sustainable reconstruction. Sustainability, 14(15), Article 9140. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159140
- Forliano, C., Bullini, L., Zardini, A., & Rossignoli, C. (2023). Technological orientation and organizational resilience to COVID-19: The mediating role of strategy’s digital maturity. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 188, Article 122288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122288
- Franklin, M., Searle, N., Stoyanova, D., & Townley, B. (2013). Innovation in the application of digital tools for managing uncertainty: The case of UK independent film. Creativity and Innovation Management, 22(3), 320–333. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12029
- Garrido-Moreno, A., Martín-Rojas, R., & García-Morales, V. J. (2024). The key role of innovation and organizational resilience in improving business performance: A mixed-methods approach. International Journal of Information Management, 77, 102777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2023.102777
- Ghobakhloo, M. (2020). Determinants of information and digital technology implementation for smart manufacturing. International Journal of Production Research, 58(8), 2384–2405. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2019.1662317
- Heikkilä, M., Bouwman, H., & Heikkilä, J. (2018). From strategic goals to business model innovation paths: An exploratory study. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 25, 107–128. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-03-2017-0097
- Horváth, D., & Szabó, R. Z. (2019). Driving forces and barriers of Industry 4.0: Do multinational and small and medium-sized companies have equal opportunities? Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 146, 119–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.04.015
- Jahanmir, S. F., & Cavadas, J. (2018). Factors affecting late adoption of digital innovations. Journal of Business Research, 88, 337–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.01.058
- Kamble, S. S., Gunasekaran, A., & Gawankar, S. A. (2018). Sustainable Industry 4.0 framework: A systematic literature review identifying the current trends and future perspectives. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 117, 408–425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2018.05.009
- Lee, S. M., & Trimi, S. (2021). Convergence innovation in the digital age and in the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Journal of Business Research, 123, 14–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.09.052
- Li, H., Wu, Y., Cao, D., & Wang, Y. (2021). Organizational mindfulness towards digital transformation as a prerequisite of information processing capability to achieve market agility. Journal of Business Research, 122, 700–711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.08.060
- Niemand, T., Rigtering, J. C., Kallmünzer, A., Kraus, S., & Maalaoui, A. (2021). Digitalization in the financial industry: A contingency approach of entrepreneurial orientation and strategic vision on digitalization. European Management Journal, 39(3), 317–326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2020.03.006
- Neumeyer, X., Santos, S. C., & Morris, M. H. (2020). Overcoming barriers to technology adoption when fostering entrepreneurship among the poor: The role of technology and digital literacy. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 68(6), 1605–1618. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2020.2995110
- Papadopoulos, T., Baltas, K. N., & Balta, M. E. (2020). The use of digital technologies by small and medium enterprises during COVID-19: Implications for theory and practice. International Journal of Information Management, 55, 102192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102192
- Pergelova, A. P., Manolova, A., Simeonova-Ganeva, R., & Yordanova, D. (2019). Democratizing entrepreneurship? Digital technologies and the internationalization of female-led SMEs. Journal of Small Business Management, 57(1), 14–39. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12494
- Pînzaru, F., Wereda, W., Moldoveanu, I., & Ciuciuc, V.-M. (2021). Sustainable management of IT enterprises. In A. M. Dima & F. D’Ascenzo (Eds.), Business revolution in a digital era (pp. 101–113). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59972-0_7
- Popa, N., Pop, A.-M., Marian-Potra, A.-C., Cocean, P., Hognogi, G.-G., & David, N. A. (2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on independent creative activities in two large cities in Romania. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 7674. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147674
- Santos, S. C., Liguori, E. W., & Garvey, E. (2023). How digitalization reinvented entrepreneurial resilience during COVID-19. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 189, 122398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122398
- Scuotto, V., Santoro, G., Bresciani, S., & Del Giudice, M. (2017). Shifting intra- and inter-organizational innovation processes towards digital business: An empirical analysis of SMEs. Creativity and Innovation Management, 26(3), 247–255. https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.12221
- Sherer, S. A., Meyerhoefer, C. D., & Peng, L. (2016). Applying institutional theory to the adoption of electronic health records in the US. Information & Management, 53(5), 570–580. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2016.02.001
- Spithoven, A., Vanhaverbeke, W., & Roijakkers, N. (2013). Open innovation practices in SMEs and large enterprises. Small Business Economics, 41(3), 537–552. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43552884
- Stoica, V. (2021). Developing customer relationship management operations during the COVID-19 pandemic: A digitalization perspective. In Proceedings of the Strategica Ninth International Academic Conference, Bucharest, Romania (pp. 1–?). [Conference presentation].
- Sun, S., Hall, D. J., & Cegielski, C. G. (2020). Organizational intention to adopt big data in the B2B context: An integrated view. Industrial Marketing Management, 86, 109–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2019.08.006
- Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Dong, J. Q., Fabian, N., & Haenlein, M. (2021). Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 122, 889–901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.09.022
- Wang, C., Fang, Y., Zhang, C. (2022). Mechanism and countermeasures of “The Innovator’s Dilemma” in business model. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 7(2), 100169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2022.100169
- Warner, K. S., & Wäger, M. (2019). Building dynamic capabilities for digital transformation: An ongoing process of strategic renewal. Long Range Planning, 52(3), 326–349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2017.12.007
- Rubin, H. J., & Rubin, I. S. (1995). Qualitative interviewing: The art of hearing data (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
- Akyıldız, S. T., & Ahmed, K. H. (2021). An overview of qualitative research and focus group discussion. International Journal of Academic Research in Education, 7(1), 1–15.
- Strauss, A. L., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Sage Publications.
- Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/picbe-2025-0313 | Journal eISSN: 2558-9652
Language: English
Page range: 4075 - 4090
Published on: Jul 24, 2025
Published by: Bucharest University of Economic Studies
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year
Keywords:
Related subjects:
© 2025 Florin Răzvan Lupşa-Tătaru, Camelia Cristina Dragomir-Pânzaru, Dana Adriana Lupşa-Tătaru, published by Bucharest University of Economic Studies
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.