Conscious or indifferent – concerns on digitalisation and sustainability among SMEs in Industry 4.0

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/sjm17-36412
Keywords: digitainability, digitalisation, SME, sustainability, SDGs, Visegrad Four countries, Serbia, Bulgaria

Abstract


The positive benefits of digitalisation are nowadays generally recognised and acknowledged by companies and are typically seen as essential in a rapidly and constantly changing business environment. Yet the level of digitalisation is still below expectations, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises. Several factors are behind it, ranging from high-cost concerns and management styles to a lack of knowledge etc. The present study reviews one of these aspects, the contradictory relationship between digitalisation and sustainability, with the aim of exploring the potential of digitalisation in the future and outlining new development strategies for small organisations.
This research explores the perceived impact of digitalisation on sustainability based on the opinions of SME owners and managers in the V4 countries, Bulgaria and Serbia, using a quantitative method through a questionnaire survey. Based on their perception on the topic, the surveyed organisations can be divided into two groups (Concerned Inspired, Indifferent Conservatives) and accordingly can achieve a state of balanced digitainability, where both sustainability and digitalisation performance are outstanding with different strategic steps.

Author Biography

Andrea Tick, Óbuda University

Andrea Tick PhD is an associate professor at Óbuda University Keleti Faculty of Business and Management. Her research interests include internet security, cyber security, user behavior regarding digital learning, cyber security awareness and the human factor in cyber security. She also does research in the field of digitalisation and digital transformation among SMEs. She has a BSc in Economics, an MA in Mathematics, Computer Science and English language and literature. Her PhD and Dr. habil research areas are digital teaching and learning with special cyber security awareness.

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Published
2022/04/06
Issue
Vol. 17 No. 1 (2022): Serbian Journal of Management
Section
Original Scientific Paper

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