Loading...

Media is loading
 

Paper Type

Complete

Description

Family-run SMEs usually have a long tradition. They have specified their organizational structures and processes to their product or service over the years. Now these companies are facing various difficulties, such as the increasing shortage of skilled workers or new competition from digital technologies. We argue that digital platforms can be a challenge as well as an opportunity. In our perception, however, German family-run SMEs show a restrained adoption of those technologies. This article therefore examines the barriers to the use of digital platforms in the value creation process of family businesses. For this purpose, we followed the approach of design-oriented information systems. We evaluated transcripts of eleven interviews with family-run SMEs and identified five categories as barriers to enter: Customer, Socio-technical, Personal, Resources, and non-specific Others. Finally, in the discussion we mapped these barriers to actors we assume to be capable of tearing them down in the future.

Paper Number

1263

Comments

SIG DITE

Share

COinS
 
Aug 10th, 12:00 AM

Digital Platform Entry Barriers for Family-run SMEs

Family-run SMEs usually have a long tradition. They have specified their organizational structures and processes to their product or service over the years. Now these companies are facing various difficulties, such as the increasing shortage of skilled workers or new competition from digital technologies. We argue that digital platforms can be a challenge as well as an opportunity. In our perception, however, German family-run SMEs show a restrained adoption of those technologies. This article therefore examines the barriers to the use of digital platforms in the value creation process of family businesses. For this purpose, we followed the approach of design-oriented information systems. We evaluated transcripts of eleven interviews with family-run SMEs and identified five categories as barriers to enter: Customer, Socio-technical, Personal, Resources, and non-specific Others. Finally, in the discussion we mapped these barriers to actors we assume to be capable of tearing them down in the future.

When commenting on articles, please be friendly, welcoming, respectful and abide by the AIS eLibrary Discussion Thread Code of Conduct posted here.