Digital universities in knowledge creation and transfer: An institutional model for innovation infrastructure in the digital economy

In the current era, the challenges faced by SMEs in Indonesia are becoming increasingly complex. Previously, the primary challenge for SMEs has been to enhance performance. However, with the emergence of information technology, SMEs are now required to compete fiercely. SMEs in Indonesia are still in the process of digital transformation to improve their business strategies, thus limiting research focused on digital transformation in SMEs. Research also considers market complexity and digital strategy as crucial factors for SMEs. The aim of this study is to analyze the role of digital transformation in influencing SME performance. The research approach is quantitative, involving 171 SMEs owners as respondents. The instrument utilized is a Likert scale questionnaire, focusing on the majority of SMEs in Indonesia, particularly those in Java, the most populous island and business center of the country. This includes SMEs operating within various sectors, such as culinary, fashion, retail, and creative industries. The results indicate that digital strategy and market complexity influence digital transformation and SMEs performance. The research findings suggest that digital transformation mediates the influence of digital strategy and market complexity on SME performance. The novelty of this study lies in its focus on the current SMEs digitalization strategy area. This study indicates that digital transformation is an essential aspect affecting current SME performance. The results suggest that SMEs require focused strategies to strengthen resources and gain competitive advantage in complex markets.

From a global perspective, the business environment has become highly dynamic, unpredictable, and competitive due to external forces – mostly technology – that generate change. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of digital technologies on South African business sectors. The sample includes small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the KwaZulu-Natal province. Being qualitative by design, the study used semi-structured interviews for data collection, with eight interviews in the Durban area. SME managers were purposefully selected as participants based on their management positions in the business/company and that they oversee the business operation and understand the influence of digital transformation in the business. The interviews were then transcribed after data collection to determine any recurring themes. In the effectiveness of digital transformation, the study identified themes such as “gaining exposure” and “gaining effective sales figures” as a result of implementing digital transformation, which was indicated by six of eight participants. The findings showed that digital transformation significantly affects building customer relationships and ensuring easy accessibility of the business. The results further indicate online selling and digital marketing as the leading digital platforms successfully implemented by most South African SMEs. Lastly, the study revealed digital maintenance and rapid changes in technology as challenging factors. Moreover, the study recommends that South African SMEs implement more available digital technologies to gain additional exposure.

Digital transformation refers to strategic activities undertaken by organizations to improve and simplify their process and even alter their business models with abreast to enhance firm performance. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the impact of digital transformation on organizational performance among the Jordanian commercial banks listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. The descriptive research design was used in this quantitative study. Primary data were collected to achieve the objectives of the study. The target population was employees (managers and non-managers) of Jordanian commercial banks listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. The sample size was selected using Krejcie and Morgan rule; after data cleaning procedures, the final sample of 282 respondents was used for final analysis. The study employed regression analysis to arrive at the results. The results confirm that digital transformation has a significant positive effect on customer experience and IT innovation. These results were significant at a 1% level. The results also confirm that digital transformation has a significant positive effect on firm performance, with a significance level of 1%. Moreover, the significant positive impact of customer experience and IT innovation was confirmed. Therefore, the significant positive impact of digital transformation on firm performance was found viz-a-viz direct as well as indirect route.