Proposal on the Impact of the Digitalization on SMEs Sustainability in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The study will look at the following objectives:
- To examine the need and opportunities in digitalization of SMEs in Nigeria
- To examine the impact of digitalization on SMEs sustainability in Nigeria
- To identify the challenges of SMEs in the digitalization process
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Digitalization
Digitalization is a term that has been used more and more frequently in public discourse in recent years, with many variants of the term used, and in many cases, misused or misleading. In general, using the term digitalization, we aim to change the impact and consequences of information and communication technology on society and its systems (e.g., economic, political, cultural, social). Caution must be exercised when using the term as different conceptual meanings define different processes of digitalization and the role that these processes play in the context of the impact of information and communication technology on society and its systems. The purpose of the paper, by the analysis of texts and studies, is to analyze different definitions of digitalization and related concepts, to find relatedness and differences, and to offer an original definition which will contribute to the possible unification and in-depth understanding of the concept of digitalization. That is necessary for understanding the studied field and with that contribute to the easement of the search for appropriate solutions for the opportunities and challenges that will come with digitalization at the company and organization level in every country of the Euro-Mediterranean area and beyond, since digitalization is a global phenomenon. The structure of the article thus covers the definition of the digitalization process and related concepts such as digital transformation and digital convergence based on the analysis of secondary sources. It also presents some of the key opportunities and challenges posed by digitalization, as it is a long-term process of which result is still is not entirely known.
SMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are important to maintain strong economic growth, but how to sustain their performance in the long term is a considerable challenge (Ates et al., 2013). The multi-dimensional transformations brought about by what has been coined as the information-networked society (Castells, 2010) or the digital economy, also impact the performance of SMEs and their role in economy. SMEs are not just smaller versions of large firms. They have distinctive characteristics, which are also depending on a particular economic, cultural and political context. SMEs differ from larger firms by governance structure and meaning, for example, personalized management with little devolution of authority or family run business and kinship; they have resource limitations in terms of human capital as well as finance and are usually dependent on a small number of customers and operate in limited markets (Hudson et al., 2001; Hausman, 2005). On the other hand, they also may have flat and flexible structures, high innovatory potential, reactive mentality, and informal, dynamic strategies (Hudson et al., 2001).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work. The choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to the impact of the digitalization on SMEs sustainability in Nigeria.
CHAPTER FOUR
METHOD OF DATA ANALYSIS
The researcher will employ oral and direct interview in administering this research questions. Responses from the respondents were needed unlike questionnaires, which is less rewarding due to late receipt and loss of responses from respondents. The method of data analysis that will be used by the researcher is the simple percentage. More so, percentage and degrees of the responses will also be used in the analysis. Here, the ratio of those whose responses were not in the affirmative will be found and conclusions will be drawn there upon. Representations of the level of responses will be made in tabular form. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software will be used to test the hypotheses.
References
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