Digital transformation challenges in service-oriented SMEs
Salma Zouaoui1, Ioana Filipas2, Punita Raj1, François Marmier1, Bertrand Rose1
1 Laboratoire ICube – équipe CSIP, 24 Bd de la Victoire 67000 Strasbourg
2 Faculté des sciences économiques et de gestion BETA (Bureau d’Économie Théorique et Appliquée) 61 Av. de la Forêt-Noire 67000 Strasbourg
ABSTRACT. This research examines the challenges that hinder Digital Transformation (DT) in small and medium-sized service enterprises (SMEs) in France. The primary objective is to categorize these obstacles to facilitate the development of tailored DT strategies that align with their specific needs. The study investigates 24 companies and identifies eight key categories of barriers: business, technological, organizational, human, strategic, operational, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and security. The findings indicate that business, technological, and organizational barriers are the most significant, which is consistent with existing research in the field. The study highlights some limitations regarding the data source and the number of companies selected.
KEYWORDS: barrier, challenge, digital transformation, service, SME