Digimeter Research Group

Digimeter: Factors supporting and stimulating corporate digitization in the development of domestic SMEs

In spring 2023, Digiméter interviewed 24 experts and SME managers. The research looked at what helps or stops Hungarian small and medium-sized businesses going digital. The results show that this is linked to each other, with no separate factors. The interviewees said that corporate digitisation means working together more efficiently.

Company managers are the key to digitisation. They digitise company processes with the help of a supportive organisational culture and like-minded colleagues. If there are not enough experts, digitisation will not happen. Digitisation requires different types of knowledge. For SMEs, it happens in an environment with a lack of capital, where quick returns are expected. The business, regulatory and competitive environment can affect digitisation. It’s more important to be able to use technology than to have it. Technology is always changing.

The interviewees identified 16 key factors based on international literature. The most important thing in digitisation is the company manager. They digitise business processes in a cost-effective way, taking into account the company’s organisational culture. They can use “killer applications” to help. SMEs in Hungary expect quick returns from digitisation. They lack resources, have unclear software environments, low documentation and less regulated processes. The grey economy works against transparent digitisation. There is also a lack of experts in the field.