Abstract

The importance of digitalization continues to grow, with companies from all sectors and of various sizes subject to this influence. To remain competitive in the future, companies must recognize and overcome the opportunities and challenges of digitalization in the long term. To do this, companies can develop an entire digitization strategy that affects all areas of the business, enabling them to achieve a holistic digital transformation and ensure their survival in the digital age. Based on a qualitative–empirical research design, this study examines whether small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises (LSEs) have such a strategy, and how it is structured. In particular, it addresses the use of new technology, changes in value added, structural changes and the financing of digitalization. At the same time, there is an examination of any similarities and differences among the different company sizes.

Highlights

  • Since the era of the post-dotcom decade, technological change and the associated digitalization have become increasingly important (Haffke 2017)

  • Based on a qualitative–empirical research design, this study examines whether small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises (LSEs) have such a strategy, and how it is structured

  • No study has focused on companies of a specific size, thereby highlighting a current research gap. This means that large-scale companies (LSEs) must deal with the topic of digital strategy since a large number of the traditional LSEs are still at the beginning of their digital transformation and most of them still generate their sales from traditional products and services (Sebastian et al 2017)

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Summary

Introduction

Since the era of the post-dotcom decade, technological change and the associated digitalization have become increasingly important (Haffke 2017). No study has focused on companies of a specific size, thereby highlighting a current research gap This means that large-scale companies (LSEs) must deal with the topic of digital strategy since a large number of the traditional LSEs are still at the beginning of their digital transformation and most of them still generate their sales from traditional products and services (Sebastian et al 2017). It discusses the purpose of SMEs and LSEs, with their digital strategy and its design regarding the use of new technology, changes in value added, structural changes and the financing of digitalization.

Theoretical framework
Methodology and data analysis
Research design
Sampling
Data collection and analysis
Results and cross-case analysis
Purpose of the digital strategy in SMEs and LSEs
Presence of a digital strategy
Use of technologies
Changes in value creation
Structural changes
Financial aspects
Findings
Discussion and derivation of digital strategies for SMEs and LSEs

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