Building Resilient and Agile SMEs: Strategic Responses to Digital Disruption and Transformation

Dear Colleagues,

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and amidst rapid digital disruption, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face urgent pressure to digitally transform. While digital transformation (DT) offers clear benefits—such as automation and process optimization (Saáry et al., 2022), market expansion and new relationships (Matalamäki & Joensuu-Salo, 2022), enhanced collaboration (Browder et al., 2024; Garzoni et al., 2020; Rossato & Castellani, 2020), access to financial services (Kutlu & Özturan, 2008; Vide et al., 2022), knowledge sharing and innovation (Fauzi & Sheng, 2022; Khin & Ho, 2019; Quinton et al., 2018; Santos & Neumeyer, 2023), workforce development (Radicic & Petković, 2023), customer experience enhancement (Kalidas et al., 2020; Rossato & Castellani, 2020), brand strengthening (Alonso-Almeida et al., 2015), and business model innovation (Moeuf et al., 2018)—many SMEs still struggle to navigate the transition.

Challenges include limited financial resources (Amankwah-Amoah et al., 2021; Amaral et al., 2019; Costa & Castro, 2021; Dörr et al., 2023; Hasyim & Bakri, 2024; Moeuf et al., 2018; Pfister & Lehmann, 2023; Schönberger, 2023; Teltz, 2020), cybersecurity and data protection concerns (Vide et al., 2022), employee resistance to change (Pfister & Lehmann, 2023), skill gaps (Moeuf et al., 2018; Pfister & Lehmann, 2023; Schönberger, 2023; Solberg et al., 2020), lack of awareness and integration strategy (Hasyim & Bakri, 2024; Pfister & Lehmann, 2023; Sousa-Zomer et al., 2020; Vide et al., 2022), infrastructure deficits (Amankwah-Amoah et al., 2021; Kahveci, 2024; Neumeyer et al., 2021), and strategic challenges and resistance (Pfister & Lehmann, 2023; Radicic & Petković, 2023).

This Special Issue explores how SMEs can respond to digital disruption through resilience, agility, and innovation, turning constraints into strategic opportunities. We welcome interdisciplinary contributions addressing strategic, technological, operational, and financial enablers of SME transformation.

Topics of interest include the following:

• Strategic agility and dynamic capabilities;
• Leadership and organizational change in digitalization;
• Innovation-driven recovery and business model renewal;
• Policy and financial support for SME transformation;
• Post-COVID resilience strategies;
• Digital ecosystems and networks;
• Case studies of successful SME transitions.

We encourage submissions that offer both conceptual insights and practical relevance. Authors are invited to submit an abstract to the Guest Editors or the Administrative Sciences editorial office prior to full manuscript submission. All papers will undergo double-blind peer review.

References:

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2. Amankwah-Amoah, J., Khan, Z., Wood, G., & Knight, G. (2021). COVID-19 and digitalization: The great acceleration. Journal of Business Research, 136, 602–611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.08.011
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18. Moeuf, A., Pellerin, R., Lamouri, S., Tamayo-Giraldo, S., & Barbaray, R. (2018). The industrial management of SMEs in the era of Industry 4.0. International Journal of Production Research, 56(3), 1118–1136. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2017.1372647
19. Neumeyer, X., Santos, S. C., & Morris, M. H. (2021). 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.2020.2989740
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21. Quinton, S., Canhoto, A., Molinillo, S., Pera, R., & Budhathoki, T. (2018). Conceptualising a digital orientation: Antecedents of supporting SME performance in the digital economy. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 26(5), 427–439. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2016.1258004
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Dr. Eyup Kahveci
Dr. Dana Bakry
Dr. Chokri Kooli
Guest Editors

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• digital transformation
• SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises)
• e-commerce adoption
• strategic agility
• dynamic capabilities
• competitive advantage
• organizational transformation
• digital skills
• innovation
• post-COVID resilience
• digital strategy
• financial implications
• sustainability and digitalization
• digital leadership
• business model innovation
• financial resilience