Digitalization in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Business and Territorial Competitiveness, Innovation and Sustainability
Dr. Nekane Aramburu Goya
Research team on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Knowledge, and Sustainability (Innovación, Emprendimiento, Conocimiento y Sostenibilidad – ICES). Deusto Business School.
The completion of Management studies is required: Bachelor and/or Master’s programme in Management or Management related topics. Moreover, previous studies in the Information Science area will be highly valued. The completion of Research Master’s studies will also be valued.
- Economic Sciences (ECO)
- Information Sciences and Engineering (ENG)
This research proposal gives continuity to a previous research project carried out in collaboration between Deusto Business School and Orkestra (Basque Institute of Competitiveness), focused on the study of digital maturity of Basque SMEs (see the reference of the final report published with the findings of this research in the list of academic publications bellow).
The research proposal aims at achieving the following objectives:
1 – To identify the main challenges of SMEs in order to advance in their digital transformation processes.
2 – To identify the main managerial dimensions that could foster digital transformation processes in SMEs.
In order to achieve the aforementioned goals both a quantitive and a qualitative (deep case studies) research approach will be applied.
EXCELLENCE OF THE HOST RESEARCH UNIT
– Kianto, A., Sáenz, J., and Aramburu, N. (2017), “Knowledge-based human resource management practices, intellectual capital and innovation”, Journal of Business Research, Vol.81, December, pp.11-20.
‐ Sáenz, J., Aramburu, N., and Rivera, O. (2009), “Knowledge sharing and innovation performance: A comparison between high‐tech and low‐tech companies”, Journal of Intellectual Capital, Special issue, vol. 10, nº 1, pp. 22‐36.
‐ Sáenz, J. and Aramburu, N. (2011), “Organizational Conditions as Catalysts for Successful People‐Focused Knowledge Sharing Initiatives”, International Journal of Knowledge-based organizations, vol.1, nº3, pp.39‐56.
‐ Sáenz, J., Aramburu, N., and Blanco, C. (2012), “Knowledge sharing and innovation in Spanish and Colombian high‐tech firms”, Journal of Knowledge Management, vol.16, nº 6, pp. 919 – 933.
– Zubillaga, A., Aramburu, N., North, K., Lorenzo, O., and Peletier, C. (2019), «Madurez Digital de la Pyme vasca» (Digital Maturity of Basque SMEs), Orkestra-Instituto Vasco de Competitividad (Basque Institute of Competitiveness). San Sebastián. ISBN: 2340-7638
1) PROJECT: Un estudio de la madurez digital de las Pymes vascas (A study of digital maturity of Basque SMEs).
FINANCED BY: Orkestra – Instituto Vasco de Competitividad (Basque Institute of Competitiveness).
DURATION: April 2018 – March 2019.
MAIN RESEARCHER: Agustín Zubillaga (Orkestra).
2) PROJECT: Ikaszabaltzen – Construyendo alternativas económicas en Euskadi y Latinoamérica – Building economic alternatives in the Basque Country and Latin America.
FINANCED BY: Gobierno Vasco (Basque Government)
DURATION: 01/02/2016 – 30/06/2017
MAIN RESEARCHER: Josune Sáenz Martínez.
3) PROJECT: Intellectual Capital and Value Creation.
FINANCED BY: TEKES (The Finnish Agency of Technology and Innovation).
DURATION: 1/01/2013 – 31/12/2014
MAIN RESEARCHER: Aino Kianto (Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland).
4) PROJECT: Aprender a Crecer – Learning to Grow
FINANCED BY: Diputación Foral de Bizkaia (programa Bizkailab) – Biscay province Government. (Bizkailab program).
DURATION: 1/01/2015 – 31/12/2015
MAIN RESEARCHER: Nekane Aramburu Goya.
5) PROJECT: Innovation: «La Capacidad Innovadora de las Empresas: Un Análisis de sus Variables Determinantes e Incidencia en los Resultados de Innovación» – «Firms’ innovation capacity: A study of its determinant variables and its impact on innovation performance».
FINANCED BY: Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa – Gipuzkoa province Government.
DURATION: 01/10/2007 – 30/09/2008
MAIN RESEARCHER: Olga Rivera Hernáez INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION
The proposed topic encompasses two main knowledge areas: 1) Management; 2) Information Science.
It will be decided together with the candidate according to his/her specific research situation, thesis proposal and the interdisciplinary aspects of the research project.
The study of digitalization and digital transformation processes of SMEs requires the understanding of the technology involved in such processes and also the managerial implications of the technology implementation. Digitalization has two faces: the technical one that has to do with the information technologies implemented in firms, and the managerial one, that has to do with the management of technology implementation and its impact on different managerial dimensions (strategy, operation and commercialization processes, logistics, business model, etc.). INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
The research topic is related with a main priority in H2020 that has to do with the big challenge of digitalization and digital transformation of companies and, especially, SMEs.
It will be decided together with the candidate according to his/her specific research situation, thesis proposal and the interdisciplinary aspects of the research project. INTERSECTORAL COLLABORATION
Orkestra (Basque Institute of Competitiveness) will be the main external partner in the development of the project (Chair of Digitalization). Moreover, collaboration with other external stakeholders is envisaged. In particular, business associations.
Funding alternatives by external collaborators will be explored.
Industrial doctorate is not envisaged since the programme requires the researcher to be hired by the University of Deusto. However, if the participation of an industrial partner is regarded appropriate, it will be involved in the research and training of the PhD student since the beginning. IMPACT
The main practical contribution of the research topic addresses companies needs, helping SMEs to deal with one of the main contemporary challenges they face.
Diffusion of the results will be achieved through:
– Academic publications: journal articles; book chapters, etc.
– Professional reports addressed to the business community. INNOVATION
Digitalization is a key challenge nowadays, especially for SMES whose resources and capabilities are more limited to deal with such a challenge. INCLUSION
Deusto is committed to social justice and inclusion. It recognises gender equality as a key driver for sustainable development, inclusive growth and academic opportunity for women. Moreover, to seek real inclusion for people with specific support needs, the project will ensure equal rights and opportunities with respect to access to the programme and the acquisition of skills expected to achieve the PhD.
– Kianto, A., Sáenz, J., and Aramburu, N. (2017), “Knowledge-based human resource management practices, intellectual capital and innovation”, Journal of Business Research, Vol.81, December, pp.11-20.
‐ Sáenz, J., Aramburu, N., and Rivera, O. (2009), “Knowledge sharing and innovation performance: A comparison between high‐tech and low‐tech companies”, Journal of Intellectual Capital, Special issue, vol. 10, nº 1, pp. 22‐36.
‐ Sáenz, J. and Aramburu, N. (2011), “Organizational Conditions as Catalysts for Successful People‐Focused Knowledge Sharing Initiatives”, International Journal of Knowledge-based organizations, vol.1, nº3, pp.39‐56.
‐ Sáenz, J., Aramburu, N., and Blanco, C. (2012), “Knowledge sharing and innovation in Spanish and Colombian high‐tech firms”, Journal of Knowledge Management, vol.16, nº 6, pp. 919 – 933.
– Zubillaga, A., Aramburu, N., North, K., Lorenzo, O., and Peletier, C. (2019), «Madurez Digital de la Pyme vasca» (Digital Maturity of Basque SMEs), Orkestra-Instituto Vasco de Competitividad (Basque Institute of Competitiveness). San Sebastián. ISBN: 2340-7638
1) PROJECT: Un estudio de la madurez digital de las Pymes vascas (A study of digital maturity of Basque SMEs).
FINANCED BY: Orkestra – Instituto Vasco de Competitividad (Basque Institute of Competitiveness).
DURATION: April 2018 – March 2019.
MAIN RESEARCHER: Agustín Zubillaga (Orkestra).
2) PROJECT: Ikaszabaltzen – Construyendo alternativas económicas en Euskadi y Latinoamérica – Building economic alternatives in the Basque Country and Latin America.
FINANCED BY: Gobierno Vasco (Basque Government)
DURATION: 01/02/2016 – 30/06/2017
MAIN RESEARCHER: Josune Sáenz Martínez.
3) PROJECT: Intellectual Capital and Value Creation.
FINANCED BY: TEKES (The Finnish Agency of Technology and Innovation).
DURATION: 1/01/2013 – 31/12/2014
MAIN RESEARCHER: Aino Kianto (Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland).
4) PROJECT: Aprender a Crecer – Learning to Grow
FINANCED BY: Diputación Foral de Bizkaia (programa Bizkailab) – Biscay province Government. (Bizkailab program).
DURATION: 1/01/2015 – 31/12/2015
MAIN RESEARCHER: Nekane Aramburu Goya.
5) PROJECT: Innovation: «La Capacidad Innovadora de las Empresas: Un Análisis de sus Variables Determinantes e Incidencia en los Resultados de Innovación» – «Firms’ innovation capacity: A study of its determinant variables and its impact on innovation performance».
FINANCED BY: Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa – Gipuzkoa province Government.
DURATION: 01/10/2007 – 30/09/2008
MAIN RESEARCHER: Olga Rivera Hernáez
The proposed topic encompasses two main knowledge areas: 1) Management; 2) Information Science.
It will be decided together with the candidate according to his/her specific research situation, thesis proposal and the interdisciplinary aspects of the research project.
The study of digitalization and digital transformation processes of SMEs requires the understanding of the technology involved in such processes and also the managerial implications of the technology implementation. Digitalization has two faces: the technical one that has to do with the information technologies implemented in firms, and the managerial one, that has to do with the management of technology implementation and its impact on different managerial dimensions (strategy, operation and commercialization processes, logistics, business model, etc.).
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
The research topic is related with a main priority in H2020 that has to do with the big challenge of digitalization and digital transformation of companies and, especially, SMEs.
It will be decided together with the candidate according to his/her specific research situation, thesis proposal and the interdisciplinary aspects of the research project. INTERSECTORAL COLLABORATION
Orkestra (Basque Institute of Competitiveness) will be the main external partner in the development of the project (Chair of Digitalization). Moreover, collaboration with other external stakeholders is envisaged. In particular, business associations.
Funding alternatives by external collaborators will be explored.
Industrial doctorate is not envisaged since the programme requires the researcher to be hired by the University of Deusto. However, if the participation of an industrial partner is regarded appropriate, it will be involved in the research and training of the PhD student since the beginning. IMPACT
The main practical contribution of the research topic addresses companies needs, helping SMEs to deal with one of the main contemporary challenges they face.
Diffusion of the results will be achieved through:
– Academic publications: journal articles; book chapters, etc.
– Professional reports addressed to the business community. INNOVATION
Digitalization is a key challenge nowadays, especially for SMES whose resources and capabilities are more limited to deal with such a challenge. INCLUSION
Deusto is committed to social justice and inclusion. It recognises gender equality as a key driver for sustainable development, inclusive growth and academic opportunity for women. Moreover, to seek real inclusion for people with specific support needs, the project will ensure equal rights and opportunities with respect to access to the programme and the acquisition of skills expected to achieve the PhD.
The research topic is related with a main priority in H2020 that has to do with the big challenge of digitalization and digital transformation of companies and, especially, SMEs.
It will be decided together with the candidate according to his/her specific research situation, thesis proposal and the interdisciplinary aspects of the research project.
Orkestra (Basque Institute of Competitiveness) will be the main external partner in the development of the project (Chair of Digitalization). Moreover, collaboration with other external stakeholders is envisaged. In particular, business associations.
Funding alternatives by external collaborators will be explored.
Industrial doctorate is not envisaged since the programme requires the researcher to be hired by the University of Deusto. However, if the participation of an industrial partner is regarded appropriate, it will be involved in the research and training of the PhD student since the beginning.
IMPACT
The main practical contribution of the research topic addresses companies needs, helping SMEs to deal with one of the main contemporary challenges they face.
Diffusion of the results will be achieved through:
– Academic publications: journal articles; book chapters, etc.
– Professional reports addressed to the business community. INNOVATION
Digitalization is a key challenge nowadays, especially for SMES whose resources and capabilities are more limited to deal with such a challenge. INCLUSION
Deusto is committed to social justice and inclusion. It recognises gender equality as a key driver for sustainable development, inclusive growth and academic opportunity for women. Moreover, to seek real inclusion for people with specific support needs, the project will ensure equal rights and opportunities with respect to access to the programme and the acquisition of skills expected to achieve the PhD.
The main practical contribution of the research topic addresses companies needs, helping SMEs to deal with one of the main contemporary challenges they face.
Diffusion of the results will be achieved through:
– Academic publications: journal articles; book chapters, etc.
– Professional reports addressed to the business community.
Digitalization is a key challenge nowadays, especially for SMES whose resources and capabilities are more limited to deal with such a challenge.
INCLUSION
Deusto is committed to social justice and inclusion. It recognises gender equality as a key driver for sustainable development, inclusive growth and academic opportunity for women. Moreover, to seek real inclusion for people with specific support needs, the project will ensure equal rights and opportunities with respect to access to the programme and the acquisition of skills expected to achieve the PhD.
Deusto is committed to social justice and inclusion. It recognises gender equality as a key driver for sustainable development, inclusive growth and academic opportunity for women. Moreover, to seek real inclusion for people with specific support needs, the project will ensure equal rights and opportunities with respect to access to the programme and the acquisition of skills expected to achieve the PhD.