Analysis of the digital competencies of regional micro and small enterprises (MSEs)

Digital transformation is crucial for the sustainability and competitiveness of micro and small enterprises (MSEs). This study assessed the level of digital competencies of 119 regional MSEs using the DigComp 2.1 framework. Fifty-four percent of enterprises achieved an advanced level in digital communication and collaboration, and 47.9% in digital literacy. In contrast, only 25.2% achieved this level in content creation, and 24.4% in digital privacy and security. Ordinal regression analysis revealed that formal education (odds ratios OR = 11.6), digital communication and collaboration (OR = 4.7 × 105), and digital privacy and security (OR = 2.3 × 105) significantly increase the likelihood of advanced digital competencies. Although MSEs have made progress in integrating digital technologies, it is essential to strengthen training programs and support policies to close the identified gaps. The main limitation of this study is its non-probabilistic sampling in a single region, which restricts the generalization of the findings. Although the study focuses on a single region, the results provide a valuable and representative view of digital competencies. Future research should expand geographical coverage and use longitudinal designs to strengthen the generalization and analysis of the evolution of digital competencies over time.