Digital Strategies and Organizational Performances of SMEs in the Age of Coronavirus: Balancing Digital Transformation with An Effective Business Resilience

Abstract

The process of digital transformation requires a careful management since it involves a set of technological, organisational, cultural and social changes that impact the organization as a whole. For that reason, in order to reach satisfying results, it is not enough to passively adopt digital technologies throughout the organisation. Instead, it is important to be aware of the key organisational implications of embracing such a change in order to be able to manage the whole process in the best possible way. To balance the ongoing digital transformation, it is becoming fundamental to improve also the so-called “digital resilience”, that is becoming a critical factor for the success of any SME (Small and Medium Enterprise), now and in the future. Digital resilience needs to be regarded as an integral part of the strategy and mission of any business and should be centred around all involved staff in SMEs. For that reason, the present manuscript will go through the main assumptions about decision-making, organisational change, change management, risks prevention and knowledge management which shape the basis for an effective and successful process of digital transformation.