Digital Transformation in SMEs: Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Era: A Comparative Bibliometric Analysis

Aikaterini Petropoulou, Erasmia Angelaki, Ioannis Rompogiannakis, Ioannis Passas (), Alexandros Garefalakis and Georgios Thanasas
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Aikaterini Petropoulou: Department of Business Administration and Tourism, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 714 10 Iraklio, Greece
Erasmia Angelaki: Department of Business Administration and Tourism, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 714 10 Iraklio, Greece
Ioannis Rompogiannakis: Department of Business Administration and Tourism, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 714 10 Iraklio, Greece
Ioannis Passas: Department of Business Administration and Tourism, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 714 10 Iraklio, Greece
Alexandros Garefalakis: Department of Business Administration and Tourism, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 714 10 Iraklio, Greece
Georgios Thanasas: Department of Business Administration and Tourism, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 714 10 Iraklio, Greece

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-17

Abstract: This paper presents a comparative bibliometric analysis of digital transformation in small and medium enterprises, focusing on before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from the Scopus database, the study analyzes 1566 articles published between 2001 and 2024, focusing on pre-COVID (2001–2018) and post-COVID (2019–2024). Bibliometric tools, including VOSviewer and Biblioshiny, were employed to conduct performance analysis, scientific mapping, and co-occurrence analyses of keywords and co-authorship. The results demonstrate a substantial increase in research output post-COVID, particularly in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and e-commerce. These technologies have become vital for the survival and competitiveness of SMEs in the post-pandemic world. However, the study also highlights significant challenges, including limited financial resources and a lack of skilled personnel, which have hindered SMEs’ ability to implement digital transformation fully. Government intervention, through financial assistance and strategic support, is identified as crucial in enabling SMEs to overcome these obstacles and successfully navigate the digital era. This analysis contributes to the growing body of literature on SMEs’ digitalization, offering key insights for policymakers, researchers, and businesses aiming to adapt to the evolving digital landscape in a post-pandemic economy.

Keywords: digital transformation; SMEs; pre-COVID period; post-COVID period; bibliometric analysis; accounting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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