Title: The influence of leaders' digital literacy on SMEs' digital transformation in Indonesia

Authors: Ope Destrian; Sudarma

Addresses: Faculty of Communication Science, Communication Management Department, Padjadjaran University, Bandung, 45363, Indonesia ' Faculty of Communication Science, Communication Management Department, Padjadjaran University, Bandung, 45363, Indonesia

Abstract: The significance of digital transformation for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially in times of disruption, is frequently demonstrated by research. Nevertheless, not much consideration has been placed on how SMEs undergo digital transformation. This study examines how SMEs' digital transformation will be affected by leaders' digital literacy utilising survey data from 276 SMEs in Indonesia. According to our research, leaders' digital literacy affects digital transformation through digital tool utilisation. Additionally, the features of leaders (such as age, educational level, and gender) further influence the association between leaders' digital literacy and digital tool utilisation. Our work is among initial endeavours to assess SMEs' digital transformation in an emerging country such as Indonesia. The description of how leaders' digital literacy affects SME digital transformation through digital tool utilisation is an extension that contributes to the literature on digitalisation.

Keywords: Indonesia; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs; leader's individualities; digital literacy; digital transformation; DGT.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIE.2024.141878

International Journal of Intelligent Enterprise, 2024 Vol.11 No.4, pp.396 - 419

Received: 15 Feb 2024
Accepted: 28 May 2024
Published online: 02 Oct 2024 *

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