Aug 2026· Human Systems Management· 0 citations· 38 references
Abstract
Industrial symbiosis (IS) and digital industrial symbiosis (DIS) are widely advocated as essential strategies for furthering circular economy (CE) goals within the European Union; yet empirical evidence about the preparedness of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) to use these methods is still scarce. This study investigates the organizational, technological, and perceptual aspects influencing SMEs’ preparedness to adopt IS and DIS, emphasizing digital maturity, perceived benefits, barriers, and the institutional support conditions. A convergent mixed-methods methodology was employed, combining qualitative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with SMEs and intermediary organizations, alongside quantitative data from a structured survey conducted across various European countries. The study examined the relationships between adoption readiness and digital maturity, perceived benefits, barriers, and institutional support conditions, while qualitative insights offered further contextual comprehension of trust, governance, and implementation conditions. The findings indicate that digital maturity and perceived benefits are the primary determinants of adoption readiness, but perceived barriers and institutional support predominantly influence implementation feasibility rather than initial willingness. This study differentiates between motivational readiness and structural feasibility, thereby enhancing adoption models and offering insights for policymakers, intermediaries, and practitioners involved in the design of digital industrial symbiosis platforms and SME support instruments.
The findings indicate that e-commerce, cloud computing, customer relationship management, and digital marketing tools supported operational coordination, market reach, and customer engagement, but limited digital skills, implementation costs, cybersecurity risks, and infrastructure constraints restricted deeper adoption.
Sundeep Kumar, N. Kumar, Akash Singh· Journal of Global Entreprene...· 0 citations
Digital innovation has become a key enabler of the circular economy, yet existing research on SMEs remains fragmented across technological, organizational, and institutional perspectives. This study addresses this gap through a bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review of 87 peer-reviewed articles published between 2017 and 2025. The review synthesizes the evolution of digital research, identifies its theoretical foundations, key barriers, enabling factors, and performance outcomes, and develops a multi-level conceptual framework linking micro-, meso-, macro-, and ecosystem-level perspectives. The findings suggest that successful digital innovation-enabled circular transformation depends on the interaction of digital capabilities, organizational resources, institutional support, and stakeholder collaboration. The study further reveals that financial constraints, limited digital capabilities, and weak institutional support remain major barriers, whereas Industry 4.0 technologies, leadership commitment, and ecosystem collaboration serve as critical enablers. By integrating fragmented theoretical perspectives into a coherent framework, this review advances the understanding of digital adoption in SMEs and provides a structured research agenda together with practical implications for managers and policymakers seeking to accelerate sustainable digital transformation.
Yi-Jun Cheng, Umar H. A. Kohar· Sustainability· 0 citations
This systematic literature review explores the relationship between digital maturity and economic sustainability, with government support as a moderating factor, and proposes a multi-level conceptual framework and actionable policy recommendations to support inclusive and adaptive SME digitalization.
Bisri Bisri· Dinasti International Journa...· 0 citations
This study examines the impact of Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility (E-CSR) and Digital Technology Adoption (DTA) on the corporate performance (CP) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam. While prior studies have typically examined E-CSR or DTA in isolation, empirical evidence integrating these two strategic orientations within a unified framework for SMEs in emerging economies remains limited. It specifically examines the mediating roles of Green Process Innovation (GPI) and Supplier Commitment (SC), as well as the moderating role of Market Dynamism (MD). Using a quantitative approach, the research employs Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze survey data collected from 120 SME managers across various sectors, including manufacturing, trade, and services. Validated measurement scales were employed, and the data analysis involved testing for reliability, model fit, and hypotheses using bootstrapping and multi-group analysis. The findings reveal that both E-CSR and DTA have a positive impact on corporate performance, both directly and indirectly, through GPI and SC. These two mediators highlight the importance of enhancing internal innovation processes and cultivating robust supplier relationships. Additionally, market dynamism significantly moderates the links between GPI/SC and CP, emphasizing the value of adaptability in volatile environments. Further analysis indicates that these effects vary across sectors, underscoring the contextual nature of sustainability and digitalization strategies. Practically, the results guide managers and policymakers on how to integrate sustainability and digital strategies into the core of business operations. Promoting green innovation, investing in digital tools, and strengthening supplier engagement are critical, particularly when aligned with specific industry contexts. From a theoretical perspective, this study extends Stakeholder Theory and Dynamic Capabilities Theory by explaining how environmental responsibility and digital technology adoption jointly translate into SME performance through green process innovation and SC under varying levels of market dynamism. This study contributes to the literature by integrating E-CSR and digital transformation within a unified framework, uncovering both the mechanisms and sector-specific variations that drive sustainable performance in emerging economies.
Le The Phiet, Thi Hoang Yen Nguyen, Ha Le Thanh· PaperASIA· 0 citations
This study is among the first to integrate innovation, agility, and digital resilience into a unified parallel mediation framework linking digital transformation to sustainable business growth, empirically validated in a multi-country Middle Eastern context.
Khodor Shatila· Journal of Entrepreneurship,...· 0 citations
A systems-based and process-oriented framework explaining how organizational factors translate into digital readiness in small firms is developed and Project Management Capability is positioned as the critical link between organizational factors and digitally enabled competitive advantage in small firms.
Marina Proença, C. D. dos Santos, A. Toaldo et al.· Systems· 0 citations
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