The driving forces of digital transformation: evidence from Chinese micro and small enterprises

Purpose With the rise of technology, digital transformation has become necessary for enterprises to sustain their business. Literature shows that digital transformation has significantly improved the production and operation, business design and processes and overall performance of enterprises. However, such transformation is progressing more smoothly and rapidly for large-scale enterprises than for micro-and-small-scale enterprises. This study aims to promote the latter’s digital transformation, it is important to evaluate their driving forces. Design/methodology/approach This study aims to investigate the relationship between the driving forces toward digital transformation in micro-and-small-scale enterprises. From the perspectives of resource-based view and dynamic capability theory by using the fuzzy-Delphi method combined with fuzzy decision experiment and evaluation laboratory technique. Findings Eighteen out of 40 potential criteria identified in the literature were accepted as most important driving forces: nine in the causal category and nine in the effect category. Notable criteria are infrastructure software, information technology (IT) management capability, digital literacy, learning capabilities and digital marketing promotion. Originality/value These results provide theoretical and practical guidance. Special attention should be given to technology, external resources and marketing as it can drive the digital transformation in micro-and-small-scale enterprises. Overall, this study suggested micro-and-small-scale enterprises a detailed explanation of the connections between important driving aspect-criteria toward digital transformation implementation, which can accelerate their own transformation, promote enterprise change and, in turn, achieve continuous performance.