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Created on 11.01.2019

Facts and figures on digital transformation at small companies

How relevant is digital transformation to small Swiss companies? What are the greatest barriers and risks for them? This overview shows facts and figures from the SME transformation study.

Projects

Around 60% of the small companies surveyed have completed or are currently implementing digitization projects. For large companies, the figure stands at over 80%.

Use of new technologies

63% of SMEs have already introduced new technologies as part of their digital transformation. For large companies, the figure is 83%. 

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  • Relevance: 67.1% of microenterprises (1-9 employees) classify their digital transformation as a priority. In the case of large companies (over 250 employees), it is 91.7%.
    67.1% of small companies classify their digital transformation as a priority. In the case of large companies, it is 91.7%.
  • Drivers: These five factors are driving digital transformation most at small companies: More efficient processes 76.9%, Changes in customer requirements 55.0%, Faster processes 45.9%, Technical developments 51.9%, Cost savings 42.5%.
    These five factors are driving digital transformation most at small companies:
  • Barriers: These five barriers hinder small companies the most in relation to their digital transformation: High level of time commitment 42.9%, Management’s lack of expertise 37%, Costs too high 32.5%, Employees’ lack of expertise 29.6%, Data protection / data security 27.9%.
    These five barriers hinder small companies the most in relation to their digital transformation:
  • Risks: These are the five risks that small companies fear most in relation to their digital transformation: Data protection / IT security 61.4%, Job losses 34.9%, Lack of specialists 30.8%, Culture / work ethic 29.8%, Legal grey areas 28.3%.
    These are the five risks that small companies fear most in relation to their digital transformation:
  • Digital communication: Around half of the small companies surveyed classify search engine and e-mail marketing as extremely important. Search engine marketing (e.g. SEA) 45.6%, E-mail marketing 45.1%, Social media marketing 32.9%, Content marketing 30.4%, Display advertising 10.6%.
    Around half of the small companies surveyed classify search engine and e-mail marketing as extremely important.
  • Investments: Small companies most frequently invested in digital projects in the following areas: 51.5% Process optimization, 49.9% IT systems and IT security, 45.2% Data management, 37.3% Project management, 36.9% External communications platforms and channels, 34.3% Customer data and CRM systems. Collaboration: Over 85% of the SMEs surveyed indicated that their digital transformation has an impact on their business model and internal cooperation/processes.
    Small companies most frequently invest in digital projects in the following areas:
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Cooperation

Over 85% of the SMEs surveyed indicated that their digital transformation has an impact on their business model and internal cooperation/processes.

Corporate culture

69% of SMEs said that their digital transformation has an effect on their corporate culture.

Satisfaction

Only 30% of SMEs are satisfied with their digitization efforts.

Source (in German):

Studie KMU-Transformation: Als KMU die Digitale Transformation erfolgreich umsetzen. Forschungsresultate und Praxisleitfaden. (SME transformation study about how to implement a digital transformation successfully as an SME.) Peter, Marc K. (ed.), FHNW School of Business, Olten, Switzerland. kmu-transformation.ch

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