INSTITUTIONAL LOGIC OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISE SECTOR

The article is devoted to understanding the processes of digital transformation in the small and medium-sized business sector. In contrast to the persistent rhetoric about the progressive nature of digitalization, the analysis shows the presence of hidden contradictions associated with institutional unpreparedness, cognitive fragmentation and organizational vulnerability. Digital changes affect not only technical parameters, but also the structure of management decisions, forms of coordination, distribution of motivation and internal adaptation mechanisms. Particular attention is paid to the phenomenon of shadow digital trajectories and the formation of horizontal mutual assistance networks as an alternative model of institutional support.