Adopting Digitalisation: The Impact on SME Performance in Evidence from Italy and Spain.

This dissertation integrates insights derived from the four analyses presented throughout the work, which correspond to the digitalisation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The objective is to interweave the understanding developed in each chapter, presenting a coherent narrative that elucidates the intricate dynamics involved in the digitalisation process of SMEs. The contents are a collection of papers structured into six chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the research project and discusses the motivation, conceptual issues, and research strategy. Chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5 employ different methodologies to provide a broad and variegated view of the digitalisation process in SMEs. Moreover, Chapters 3,4 and 5 used a dataset from a survey carried out in 2022 among Spanish SMEs. Chapter 6 concludes the thesis. Chapter 2, titled “Bibliographic Analysis of Digitalisation in SMEs: A Comparative Study from Italy and Spain”, introduces a comparative bibliographic analysis, a novel approach that has not been previously used. This methodology seeks to generate scholarly interest in both countries, where national-level bibliometric studies are rare, and no prior comparative research exists. The data is obtained from the Scopus database. This method reveals the primary developments, key research themes, and the prevailing collaboration trends at individual, university and country levels in the field of digitalisation in SMEs. The findings reveal a growing interest in SME digitalisation in both countries. Italy leads in publication and citation volume, but research in both countries lacks thematic diversity. The literature remains largely theoretical, highlighting the need for more empirical studies. Chapter 3, titled “Digital Transformation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises as an Innovation Process: A Holistic Study of its Determinants”, employs a novel holistic theoretical framework and an econometric methodology to examine the challenges SMEs face during their digital transformation. Digital transformation is explored in this analysis as an innovation process. The findings indicate that human capital and organisational factors, rather than technological constraints, are key to digital transformation. SMEs must adopt formal strategies for digitalisation, integrating internal digital skills and fostering collaboration with external partners, such as ICT consultants and universities. Chapter 4, titled “Addressing Challenges and Catalysts for E-Commerce Adoption in SMEs”, investigates the internal and external factors influencing the adoption of e-commerce technologies. The analysis highlights that financial constraints, limited digital skills, and weak external collaboration are the main obstacles to e-commerce adoption in SMEs. Investment in ICT, R&D, and innovation, along with stronger connections to external advisors and competitors, is crucial for overcoming these barriers. Chapter 5, titled “Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: The Role of Competencies and Skills”, investigates the role of competencies and skills in the process of the adoption of AI within SMEs. According to the results of this paper, SMEs with university-educated leaders, IT expertise, and advanced digital management systems (e.g., ERP, marketing analytics) are more likely to implement AI. Partnerships with universities also facilitate AI integration by providing access to expertise and innovation resources. Chapter 6, “Conclusion”, summarises and discusses the findings of the project, and the managerial and policy implications derived from the individual chapters. Moreover, this chapter highlights the theoretical, managerial and empirical contributions of this dissertation, mentions the limitations of the current study, and formulates potential avenues for further research.