Digital transformation in SMEs: global maps and trends of research

Purpose This paper reviews the literature on digital transformation in SMEs. The general purpose of the paper is to provide an overview of the evolution of digital transformation research in SMEs globally and propose possible future research directions to advance digital transformation research in SMEs. Design/methodology/approach This study used a systematic review of the literature by conducting bibliometric analysis and content analysis. The research protocol included 51 articles collected in the Scopus database in the bibliometric analysis. The Scopus database was searched using Publish or Perish, while Excel and Mendeley assistance were used for quantitative investigation of the sample and bibliographic management. A bibliometric analysis was conducted by combining two software applications, Biblioshiny R Studio and VOSviewer. Findings Digital transformation (DT) research on SMEs has increased significantly especially after 2015. Using bibliometric analysis and science mapping, seven main research themes were found, namely digital technologies, dynamic capability, digitalization, small and medium enterprises, big data, manufacturing sector and innovation. Seven future DT research trends were also found, namely digital technology adoption, dynamic capability, adaptive leadership, digital literacy, sustainable innovation, managerial readiness and external support. Originality/value Compared to existing reviews, we adopt a broader approach and one that does not focus on specific aspects of DT, but adopts an integrated and holistic approach that provides a comprehensive overview of the DT literature in SMEs. In addition to quantitative analysis through bibliometrics, this study also integrated content analysis to determine future research opportunities and directions. Research limitations This paper is based on imported bibliographic data from Scopus. The findings of bibliometric analysis may be affected by the use of certain databases. Therefore, the results depend on the selected databases which may lead to different results. Although the literature review procedure was applied, it is possible that there were missed articles related to the topic discussed. The use of different indicators and depiction methods will also lead to different results. Therefore, future researchers should optimize these aspects.