How digital technologies enhance competitiveness in manufacturing SMEs

Agostinho Silva, Isabel Duarte Almeida (), Andreia Dionisio, Carlos Rabadão and Carlos Capela
Additional contact information
Agostinho Silva: University of Beira Interior
Isabel Duarte Almeida: University Institute of Lisbon
Andreia Dionisio: University of Evora
Carlos Rabadão: CIIC, Computer Science and Communication Research Centre
Carlos Capela: Polytechnic of Leiria

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2025, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-25

Abstract: Abstract This study examines how digital technologies influence the competitiveness of manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on labor productivity and export performance. Using a sample of 669 firms in the Portuguese ornamental stone sector, a framework was applied to evaluate five levels of digital maturity through a quantitative approach. This analysis covers five years after the investment and combines digital profiling with scenario-based forecasts. Results, presented in figures and tables, indicate a positive link between digital maturity and firm performance, with higher digitalisation levels correlating with increased productivity and export efficiency. For example, the most digitally mature firms experienced labor productivity increase significantly, and their digital investments yielded returns very handsomely for every euro invested. These findings, while illustrative, depend on specific contextual factors and assume ongoing digital adoption. This study offers a replicable model for evaluating digital revolution in traditional industries, supporting SME policy development and strategic planning.

Keywords: Digital technologies; Competitiveness; Manufacturing SMEs; Productivity; Supply chains (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s13731-025-00576-8 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:joiaen:v:14:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1186_s13731-025-00576-8

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://innovation-e ... ip.springeropen.com/

DOI: 10.1186/s13731-025-00576-8

Access Statistics for this article

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship is currently edited by Elias G. Carayannis

More articles in Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().