Abstract
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are crucial to the global economy. Due to its limited resources, its competitiveness must be strongly supported by technology but often face challenges in digital transformation due to the lack of tailored guidance. Many existing Digital Maturity Models (DMMs) are designed for large corporations and are not directly applicable to SMEs. This article addresses this gap by proposing a novel DMM specifically for SMEs. Drawing from a systematic literature review and employing the De Bruin et al. (2005) methodological framework, the proposed model synthesizes established concepts while incorporating SME-specific adaptations. It features six core dimensions (IT Infrastructure, Customer Experience, Strategy, Knowledge, Processes, and Culture) and seven maturity levels, including a foundational ‘Level 0 – Non-existent’ to accommodate SMEs at the embryonic stages of digitalization. This DMM is intended as a practical tool to enable SMEs to self-assess their digital capabilities, identify areas for improvement, and formulate targeted strategies for advancing their digital maturity, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in the digital era.
Recommended Citation
Marcos, Santos; Reis, José Luís; Pereira, Rui H.; and Pereira, Ivo A., "A Novel Digital Maturity Model for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs): A Structured Approach to Digital Transformation" (2025). CAPSI 2025 Proceedings. 35.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/capsi2025/35