The use of digital technologies by small and medium enterprises during COVID-19: Implications for theory and practice

Παπαδόπουλος, Θάνος; Baltas, Konstantinos; Balta, Maria

doi:10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102192

Cited by 443 publications

(404 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The SMEs that previously operated directly or face-to-face have made strategic changes by utilizing technology. Many experts state that increasing the productivity and performance of SMEs requires the role of digital technology (Papadopoulos et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of social distancing policy on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia

Lutfi

Buntuang

Kornelius

et al. 2020

Problems and Perspectives in Management

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This study aims to investigate the impact of social distancing policies on SMEs in Indonesia. It used a quantitative method with a survey design. Respondents were all SMEs in Indonesia that are affected by social distancing policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. It involved a total of 587 SME samples selected randomly. The data were collected through observations, questionnaires, and literature studies. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with SPSS software to determine the mean value. The result showed that social distancing policies affect SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is indicated by the decreasing income and demand for SMEs products, and even some have no income (mean values of 2.40) due to the social distancing policies. Besides, the policy’s impact is also shown in the increasing cost of raw materials and production costs due to supply chain problems (mean values of 4.79). The policy’s impact raises anxiety for SMEs to survive so that business actors change their plans by utilizing information technology (mean values of 4.81). This change is a strategy to survive due to the impact of the applied policies. Although social distancing policies affect SMEs’ survival during the pandemic, research findings show that SMEs in Indonesia did not terminate employment (mean values of 4.37) due to the presence of economic stimulus policies that helped SMEs survive and grow during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of social distancing policy on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia

Lutfi

Buntuang

Kornelius

et al. 2020

Problems and Perspectives in Management

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show abstract

“…Another potential benefit of adopting state-of-the-art technologies for SMEs is to enhance the digitization of internal operations and processes, improving performance effectiveness and efficiencies, re-engineering business models, and ensuring business survival (Laudon and Laudon 2019;Akpan, Soopramanien, and Kwak 2020). These benefits were utilized mainly by several SMEs in the advanced economies during the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting community lockdown to limit the spread and human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus disease (Papadopoulos, Baltas, and Balta 2020;Akpan, Soopramanien, and Kwak 2020). While the digitized businesses in the advanced economies quickly moved to the virtual space, the SMEs in most EMDEs were under lock and key, with schools completely shut (Webster 2020;Lancet 2020;Akpan, Ezeume, et al 2020;Peto et al 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small business awareness and adoption of state-of-the-art technologies in emerging and developing markets, and lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

Akpan

Udoh²,

Adebisi

2020

Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship

228

164

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Many challenges continue to hinder digital technologies' adoption by small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies. Comparatively, there are more success stories by SMEs in emerging markets. However, most SMEs operating in the informal sector in the emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) face similar challenges that inhibit the adoption of advanced technologies and innovations needed to improve business operations and re-engineer processes. This article evaluates the implementation and use of state-of-the-art technologies by SMEs in EMDEs to improve operations performance and create sustainable competitive advantages. Further, the papers in this Special Issue identify FinTech and analytical algorithms as some of the current technologies employed by SMEs in EMDEs to improve operations and processes in the manufacturing and service industries. The recognized technologies and technical innovations that seem novel in EMDEs have long existed in the advanced economies. Most state-of-the-art technologies, including cloud computing, 'big data', and predictive analytics that can improve operations and strategic decisions, are yet to make inroads in most EMDEs. Also, disruptive computing technologies, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) required to engineer new business models, reduce overheads, enhance competitive advantages, and digitize SMEs' business operations remain untapped. The absence and non-adoption of digital technologies in EMDEs explain why business activities in most EMDEs remain shut during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 and the community lockdown to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategies to survive the 'new normal' imposed by COVID-19 and fierce global competition includes a successful adoption of advanced technologies. RÉSUMÉ De nombreux d efis continuent a entraver l'adoption des technologies num eriques par les petites et les moyennes entreprises (PME) dans les economies en d eveloppement. En comparaison, les PME ont plus de succ es dans les march es emergents. Cependant, la plupart de celles qui op erent dans le secteur informel des march es emergents et des economies en d eveloppement (MEED)

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“…Use of digital technologies supports in preventing transmission (e.g., epidemic intelligence methods, application of health status codes, etc.) and enables digitalization and strong nexus, resulting in value creation (Obrenovic et al, 2020;Papadopoulos et al, 2020). Several advocates have voiced their support that with planned and pertinent strategic adoption and implementation of digital technologies can lead to greater productivity, resulting in higher performance and competitiveness (Chan et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The triple-edged sword of COVID-19: understanding the use of digital technologies and the impact of productive, disruptive, and destructive nature of the pandemic

Kamal

2020

Information Systems Management

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This opinion paper presents some observations on underlying complexities impacting organizations and societies due to Covid-19, and significant increase in the use of advanced IS/IT. Through the lens of current pandemic-the impact of Covid-19 and use of advanced IS/IT in avoiding loss of productivity, disruption in business operations and destruction as a whole, is studied. These observations offer timely insights on several topics, identifying key issues and recommendations for research and practice.

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The use of digital technologies by small and medium enterprises during COVID-19: Implications for theory and practice

Cited by 443 publications

References 40 publications

The impact of social distancing policy on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia

The impact of social distancing policy on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia

Small business awareness and adoption of state-of-the-art technologies in emerging and developing markets, and lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic

The triple-edged sword of COVID-19: understanding the use of digital technologies and the impact of productive, disruptive, and destructive nature of the pandemic

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