Abstract

Digital transformation is a key challenge for Italian SMEs, in that it does not require the simple adoption of digital technologies, rather an organization-wide alignment of people, processes, organizational mechanisms, and business models. Recent research reports that Italian SMEs are still in the early stages of digital transition, and that such transition appear to be only partially being developed (i.e., limited to investments in physical facilities). However, there is also wide evidence of the fact that, Italian SMEs hold key capabilities which allow them to rapidly adapt and survive to complex environments denoted by sudden changes and difficulties, thus allowing them to exhibit notable competitiveness at the international level. In this study, the authors provide some exploratory insights about the key capabilities denoting SMEs which may reveal central in supporting their digital transition. By means of a quantitative pilot study and the discussion of a case study, the authors explain the central role of the absorptive capacity of the organization and of organizational culture in creating optimal conditions for an actual digital transition to take place