Digital Transformation and Resilient Business Models: Unlocking Competitive Advantage in Post-Pandemic SMEs

Sitta Kusuma

doi:10.37034/jems.v8i1.248

Authors

Sitta Kusuma Universitas Mitra Bangsa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37034/jems.v8i1.248

Keywords:

Digital Transformation, Business Resilience, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Competitive Advantage, E-commerce

Abstract

This study explores the role of digital transformation in enhancing the resilience and competitive advantage of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the post-pandemic era. Through both qualitative and quantitative analyses, the study examines how SMEs have adopted digital technologies, such as e-commerce, cloud computing, and customer relationship management (CRM), to overcome challenges posed by the pandemic and build sustainable advantages. The findings reveal that digital transformation has a significant positive impact on business resilience, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction. However, challenges such as limited skilled human resources and high initial investment costs remain barriers to full adoption. The study offers practical implications for SME owners and policymakers, emphasizing the need for strategic investments in digital skills and technology, as well as supportive policies to reduce barriers to digital transformation. Despite some limitations, the study contributes to the literature on resilient business models and the role of digital transformation in SMEs.

References

Aduda, J., & Obondy, S. (2020). Credit Risk Management and Efficiency of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies: A Review of Literature. Journal of Applied Finance & Banking, 11(1), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.47260/jafb/1117

Seo, H., & Myeong, S. (2020). The priority of factors of building government as a platform with analytic hierarchy process analysis. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12145615

Zheng, B., Yuan, Y., Li, H., & Jiang, Y. (2023). A study of digital transformation and MSMEs performance from a spatial perspective: Evidence from China. Journal of Economics and Management (Poland), 45(1), 319–343. https://doi.org/10.22367/jem.2023.45.13

Sitompul, S. K., & Anditasari, A. W. (2022). Challenges in Writing Academic Research: an Exploration of Master’S Students’ Experiences. Getsempena English Education Journal, 9(2), 136–148. https://doi.org/10.46244/geej.v9i2.1805

Gemser, G., & Barczak, G. (2020). Designing the Future: Past and Future Trajectories for Design Innovation Research. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 37(5), 454–471. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12543

Bharadwaj, A., El Sawy, O. A., Pavlou, P. A., & Venkatraman, N. (2013). Digital business strategy: Toward a next generation of insights. MIS Quarterly, 37(2), 471–482. https://doi.org/10.25300/MISQ/2013/37:2.3

Dieste, M., Panizzolo, R., & Garza-Reyes, J. A. (2021). A systematic literature review regarding the influence of lean manufacturing on firms’ financial performance. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 32(9), 101–121. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-08-2020-0304

Rehman, F. U., Gyamfi, S., Rasool, S. F., Akbar, F., Hussain, K., & Prokop, V. (2023). The nexus between circular economy innovation, market competitiveness, and triple bottom lines efficiencies among SMEs: evidence from emerging economies. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 30(58), 122274–122292. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30956-0

Wickramasinghe, V., & Chathurani, M. N. (2020). Effects of continuous improvement in streamlining HRM practices. Business Process Management Journal, 27(3), 883–900. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-03-2020-0130

Guerreiro, J., Rita, P., & Trigueiros, D. (2015). Attention, emotions and cause-related marketing effectiveness. European Journal of Marketing, 49(11–12), 1728–1750. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJM-09-2014-0543

Sina, A. (2024). Open AI and its Impact on Fraud Detection in Financial Industry. Journal of Knowledge Learning and Science Technology ISSN: 2959-6386 (Online), 2(3), 263–281. https://doi.org/10.60087/jklst.vol2.n3.p281

Angouri, J. (2010). Quantitative, qualitative or both? Combining methods in linguistic research. Research methods in linguistics, 1, 29-45.

Borissov, D. (2024). Enterprises as Complex Systems: Navigating Challenges and Embracing Resilience. Business Ethics and Leadership, 8(4), 95–122. https://doi.org/10.61093/bel.8(4).95-122.2024

Evans, S., Vladimirova, D., Holgado, M., Van Fossen, K., Yang, M., Silva, E. A., & Barlow, C. Y. (2017). Business Model Innovation for Sustainability: Towards a Unified Perspective for Creation of Sustainable Business Models. Business Strategy and the Environment, 26(5), 597–608. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.1939

Zhu, Q., Hu, S., & Shen, W. (2020). Why do some insider CEOs make more strategic changes than others? The impact of prior board experience on new CEO insiderness. Strategic Management Journal, 41(10), 1933–1951. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.3183

Ziyadin, S., Suieubayeva, S., & Utegenova, A. (2020). Digital Transformation in Business. In Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems (Vol. 84). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-27015-5_49

Robson, K., de Beer, J., & McCarthy, I. P. (2020). Open branding: Managing the unauthorized use of brand-related intellectual property. Business Horizons, 63(6), 773–785. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2020.07.001

Saarikko, T., Westergren, U. H., & Blomquist, T. (2020). Digital transformation: Five recommendations for the digitally conscious firm. Business Horizons, 63(6), 825–839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2020.07.005

Rachmawati, M. A., & Afifi, S. (2022). The integrated marketing communication in digital environment: a case study of local radio in Yogyakarta. The Indonesian Journal of Communication Studies, 14(2), 105. https://doi.org/10.31315/ijcs.v14i2.5470

Farfán Chilicaus, G. C., Licapa-Redolfo, G. S., Arbulú Ballesteros, M. A., Corrales Otazú, C. D., Apaza Miranda, S. J., Flores Castillo, M. M., … Arbulú Castillo, J. C. (2025). Digital Transformation and Sustainability in Post-Pandemic Supply Chains: A Global Bibliometric Analysis of Technological Evolution and Research Patterns (2020–2024). Sustainability (Switzerland), 17(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073009

Amit, R., & Zott, C. (2010). Business Model Innovation: Creating Value in Times of Change. Long Range Planning, 3(2–3), 216–226. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1701660