Digital Transformation of Internal Processes of Small and Medium Enterprises in Ukraine: Adapting to the New Business Environment

Abstract

This thesis examines the digital transformation of Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the context of crisis and wartime, focusing on their unique challenges and opportunities. The research explores how digital transformation is assessed within SMEs, the extent of digital adoption, and the influence of financial and organizational factors on this transformation. Chapter 1 introduces the challenges faced by Ukrainian SMEs during wartime and outlines the research problem, questions, and hypotheses. Chapter 2 provides a comprehensive literature review, highlighting both global and Ukrainian perspectives on digital transformation, and discussing the limitations of current assessment methodologies for SMEs. Chapter 3 details the research methodology, including the qualitative and quantitative approaches used. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires serve as the primary data collection tools, with sampling methods and ethical considerations explained. Chapter 4 focuses on data collection and analysis. In-depth interviews with industry experts, such as an SMM specialist, a Big Data engineer, and CEOs from various companies, provide qualitative insights, while the questionnaire results are analyzed through descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Chapter 5 presents the findings, which confirm or reject the hypotheses. The research concludes that the level of digital transformation in Ukrainian SMEs is moderate, with various influencing factors such as funding, employee skills, and strategic management. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed in the concluding chapter. This study contributes to the understanding of digital transformation within Ukrainian SMEs, particularly in crisis settings, and offers insights for policymakers and business leaders.