Three years of intensive research into the digital transformation of SMEs culminated in the closing event at FHWien der WKW. What has been achieved and what does the future hold?
Findings from three years of research
As part of the “Digital Transformation in SMEs” event, Dr. Patrick Rupprecht and Dr. Maija Worek presented the results of the “Organizational Ambidexterity in SMEs” project funded by the City of Vienna (MA 23). The research project investigated how Austrian SMEs master the challenge of reconciling efficiency and innovation. The key findings show that although companies use a wide range of digital technologies and have strong digital skills, they lack formalized strategies and their own organizational structures for digitalization and innovation.
Impulses from the field
A highlight of the event was the guest lecture by Prof. Sandra Rothenberger from the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management. In her presentation, she impressively demonstrated that tradition connects companies with their history, transformation enables the active shaping of change and innovation paves the way to a successful future. Her practical insights gave the participants valuable inspiration for their own transformation processes.
Outlook: The start of the “HybrAId” project
The Institute for Digital Transformation and Strategy (IDS) is now entering a new research phase with the follow-up project “HybrAId”, which is also funded by the City of Vienna (MA 23). The focus is on researching the possible applications of generative AI and hybrid intelligence – i.e. the collaboration of human and artificial intelligence – to promote innovation in SMEs. The project aims to show how companies can make targeted use of these technologies to support creative processes and increase their competitiveness.