IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/futbus/v10y2024i1d10.1186_s43093-024-00416-3.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Mapping the digitalization in SMEs of Middle East region: trends and insights from bibliometric analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Abhishek Tripathi

    (University of Ha’il
    UNICAF University)

Abstract

Digitalization is very important for SMEs in the Middle East in order to remain competitive and sustainable in this region. Therefore, the study aims to examine the digitalization in SMEs of the Middle East region using bibliometric analysis by considering publication trends, top authors, journals, articles, countries, and major keywords. The researchers used the Scopus database for data extraction and VOSViewer for the bibliometric analysis of this study. The findings revealed that countries from the Middle East realized the importance of digitalization after 2015, and the research trend rose after 2019 with highest publication count till 2023–24 in this domain. Furthermore, the bibliometric analysis revealed Saudi Arabia being the most influential country due to the highest numbers of publications in this domain. Rana. N.P., as the most influential author from Qatar, revealed Sustainability (Switzerland) is the most influential journal, while “Digitalization and economic growth: A comparative analysis of sub-Saharan Africa and OECD economies” is the highly cited article, and Digital Transformation is the highly co-occurred keyword in relation to digitalization of SMEs in the Middle East. Based on these findings, the study proposed managerial implications for policymakers in SMEs of the target region, and avenues for future researchers in this domain.

Suggested Citation

  • Abhishek Tripathi, 2024. "Mapping the digitalization in SMEs of Middle East region: trends and insights from bibliometric analysis," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:futbus:v:10:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s43093-024-00416-3
    DOI: 10.1186/s43093-024-00416-3
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s43093-024-00416-3
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1186/s43093-024-00416-3?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Donthu, Naveen & Kumar, Satish & Mukherjee, Debmalya & Pandey, Nitesh & Lim, Weng Marc, 2021. "How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 285-296.
    2. Ganlin Pu & Md. Qamruzzaman & Ahmed Muneeb Mehta & Farah Naz Naqvi & Salma Karim, 2021. "Innovative Finance, Technological Adaptation and SMEs Sustainability: The Mediating Role of Government Support during COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-27, August.
    3. Iva Gregurec & Martina Tomičić Furjan & Katarina Tomičić-Pupek, 2021. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Sustainable Business Models in SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-24, January.
    4. Chatzistamoulou, Nikos, 2023. "Is digital transformation the Deus ex Machina towards sustainability transition of the European SMEs?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    5. Boumediene Ramdani & Siddhartha Raja & Marina Kayumova, 2022. "Digital innovation in SMEs: a systematic review, synthesis and research agenda," Information Technology for Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(1), pages 56-80, January.
    6. AlNuaimi, Bader K. & Kumar Singh, Sanjay & Ren, Shuang & Budhwar, Pawan & Vorobyev, Dmitriy, 2022. "Mastering digital transformation: The nexus between leadership, agility, and digital strategy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 636-648.
    7. Olawale R. Olaopa & Yazeed M. Alsuhaibany, 2023. "Economic diversification in Saudi Arabia: the role of information communication technology and e-commerce in achieving Vision 2030 and beyond," International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 15(2), pages 137-161.
    8. Chun-Liang Chen & Yao-Chin Lin & Wei-Hung Chen & Cheng-Fu Chao & Henry Pandia, 2021. "Role of Government to Enhance Digital Transformation in Small Service Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-24, January.
    9. Hamdi A. Al-Jamimi & Galal M. BinMakhashen & Lutz Bornmann, 2022. "Use of bibliometrics for research evaluation in emerging markets economies: a review and discussion of bibliometric indicators," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(10), pages 5879-5930, October.
    10. Kurnia, Sherah & Choudrie, Jyoti & Mahbubur, Rahim Md & Alzougool, Basil, 2015. "E-commerce technology adoption: A Malaysian grocery SME retail sector study," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(9), pages 1906-1918.
    11. Abdalwali Lutfi & Adi Alsyouf & Mohammed Amin Almaiah & Mahmaod Alrawad & Ahmed Abdullah Khalil Abdo & Akif Lutfi Al-Khasawneh & Nahla Ibrahim & Mohamed Saad, 2022. "Factors Influencing the Adoption of Big Data Analytics in the Digital Transformation Era: Case Study of Jordanian SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-17, February.
    12. Laith T. Khrais & Abdullah M. Alghamdi, 2022. "Factors That Affect Digital Innovation Sustainability among SMEs in the Middle East Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-13, July.
    13. Maroufkhani, Parisa & Tseng, Ming-Lang & Iranmanesh, Mohammad & Ismail, Wan Khairuzzaman Wan & Khalid, Haliyana, 2020. "Big data analytics adoption: Determinants and performances among small to medium-sized enterprises," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    14. Demetris Vrontis & Ranjan Chaudhuri & Sheshadri Chatterjee, 2022. "Adoption of Digital Technologies by SMEs for Sustainability and Value Creation: Moderating Role of Entrepreneurial Orientation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-19, June.
    15. Rafael Martínez-Peláez & Alberto Ochoa-Brust & Solange Rivera & Vanessa G. Félix & Rodolfo Ostos & Héctor Brito & Ramón A. Félix & Luis J. Mena, 2023. "Role of Digital Transformation for Achieving Sustainability: Mediated Role of Stakeholders, Key Capabilities, and Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-27, July.
    16. Girish Santosh Bagale & Venkata Ramana Vandadi & Deepmala Singh & Dilip Kumar Sharma & Durga Venkata Kusuma Garlapati & Ravi Kumar Bommisetti & Ravi Kumar Gupta & Roy Setsiawan & V. Subramaniyaswamy &, 2023. "RETRACTED ARTICLE: Small and medium-sized enterprises' contribution in digital technology," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 326(1), pages 3-4, July.
    17. Christine Legner & Torsten Eymann & Thomas Hess & Christian Matt & Tilo Böhmann & Paul Drews & Alexander Mädche & Nils Urbach & Frederik Ahlemann, 2017. "Digitalization: Opportunity and Challenge for the Business and Information Systems Engineering Community," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 59(4), pages 301-308, August.
    18. Adnan Mustafa AlBar & Md. Rakibul Hoque, 2019. "Factors affecting the adoption of information and communication technology in small and medium enterprises: a perspective from rural Saudi Arabia," Information Technology for Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(4), pages 715-738, October.
    19. Xin Zhang & Yaoyu Xu & Liang Ma, 2022. "Research on Successful Factors and Influencing Mechanism of the Digital Transformation in SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, February.
    20. Mila Cascajares & Alfredo Alcayde & Esther Salmerón-Manzano & Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro, 2021. "The Bibliometric Literature on Scopus and WoS: The Medicine and Environmental Sciences Categories as Case of Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-31, May.
    21. Vinit Parida & David Sjödin & Wiebke Reim, 2019. "Reviewing Literature on Digitalization, Business Model Innovation, and Sustainable Industry: Past Achievements and Future Promises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-18, January.
    22. Myovella, Godwin & Karacuka, Mehmet & Haucap, Justus, 2020. "Digitalization and economic growth: A comparative analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa and OECD economies," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(2).
    23. Saarikko, Ted & Westergren, Ulrika H. & Blomquist, Tomas, 2020. "Digital transformation: Five recommendations for the digitally conscious firm," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 63(6), pages 825-839.
    24. Ole Ellegaard & Johan A. Wallin, 2015. "The bibliometric analysis of scholarly production: How great is the impact?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 105(3), pages 1809-1831, December.
    25. Ramzi El-Haddadeh, 2020. "Digital Innovation Dynamics Influence on Organisational Adoption: The Case of Cloud Computing Services," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 985-999, August.
    26. Matarazzo, Michela & Penco, Lara & Profumo, Giorgia & Quaglia, Roberto, 2021. "Digital transformation and customer value creation in Made in Italy SMEs: A dynamic capabilities perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 642-656.
    27. Ruiqi Wei & Catherine Pardo, 2022. "Artificial intelligence and SMEs : How can B2B SMEs leverage AI platforms to integrate AI technologies?," Post-Print hal-04325639, HAL.
    28. Nermin Khalifa & Mona Abd Elghany & Marwa Abd Elghany, 2021. "Exploratory research on digitalization transformation practices within supply chain management context in developing countries specifically Egypt in the MENA region," Cogent Business & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(1), pages 1965459-196, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Marino-Romero, Jorge Alberto & Palos-Sánchez, Pedro R. & Velicia-Martín, Félix, 2024. "Evolution of digital transformation in SMEs management through a bibliometric analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    2. Gaffar Hafiz Sagala & Dóra Őri, 2024. "Toward SMEs digital transformation success: a systematic literature review," Information Systems and e-Business Management, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 667-719, December.
    3. Guanqiao Zhang & Tao Wang & Yuhan Wang & Shuai Zhang & Wenhao Lin & Zixin Dou & Haitao Du, 2023. "Study on the Influencing Factors of Digital Transformation of Construction Enterprises from the Perspective of Dual Effects—A Hybrid Approach Based on PLS-SEM and fsQCA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-22, April.
    4. Deon Montasser & Ruslan Prijadi & Tengku Ezni Balqiah, 2023. "The Mediating Effect of IT-Enabled Dynamic Capabilities and Organizational Readiness on the Relationship Between Transformational Leadership and Digital Business Model Innovation: Evidence From Indone," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, June.
    5. Daniela Roxana Vuță & Eliza Nichifor & Ioana Bianca Chițu & Gabriel Brătucu, 2022. "Digital Transformation—Top Priority in Difficult Times: The Case Study of Romanian Micro-Enterprises and SMEs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-14, August.
    6. Viet Anh Ta & Chieh-Yu Lin, 2023. "Exploring the Determinants of Digital Transformation Adoption for SMEs in an Emerging Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-13, April.
    7. Jianhua Zhu & Julien S. Baker & Zhiting Song & Xiao-Guang Yue & Wenqi Li, 2023. "Government regulatory policies for digital transformation in small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises: an evolutionary game analysis," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, December.
    8. Han, Linlin & Shan, Zidan & Lei, Ming & Long, Suwan(Cheng), 2024. "A comparative study of international and Chinese digitization from the perspective of mapping knowledge domains," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(PB), pages 93-113.
    9. Xuejun Jin & Xiao Pan, 2023. "Government Attention, Market Competition and Firm Digital Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-27, June.
    10. Mpho Kgakatsi & Onthatile P. Galeboe & Kopo K. Molelekwa & Bonginkosi A. Thango, 2024. "The Impact of Big Data on SME Performance: A Systematic Review," Businesses, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-64, November.
    11. Liu, Ju & Vigren, Olli, 2024. "Managing Digital Transformation for Innovation: A Multi-Level and Multi-Dimensional Integrated Model for Managers," Papers in Innovation Studies 2024/18, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    12. Malodia, Suresh & Mishra, Mahima & Fait, Monica & Papa, Armando & Dezi, Luca, 2023. "To digit or to head? Designing digital transformation journey of SMEs among digital self-efficacy and professional leadership," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    13. Migliavacca, Milena & Goodell, John W. & Paltrinieri, Andrea, 2023. "A bibliometric review of portfolio diversification literature," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    14. Norbert Bajkó & Zsolt Fülöp & Kinga Nagyné Pércsi, 2022. "Changes in the Innovation- and Marketing-Habits of Family SMEs in the Foodstuffs Industry, Caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic in Hungary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, March.
    15. Cong Cheng & Hongfang Cui, 2024. "Combining digital and legacy technologies: firm digital transformation strategies—evidence from Chinese manufacturing companies," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
    16. Zahoor, Nadia & Zopiatis, Anastasios & Adomako, Samuel & Lamprinakos, Grigorios, 2023. "The micro-foundations of digitally transforming SMEs: How digital literacy and technology interact with managerial attributes," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    17. Théodore Nikiema & Eugène C. Ezin & Sylvain Kpenavoun Chogou, 2023. "Bibliometric Analysis of the State of Research on Agroecology Adoption and Methods Used for Its Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-18, November.
    18. Manta Eduard Mihai & Davidescu Adriana Ana Maria & Geambasu Maria Cristina & Florescu Margareta Stela, 2023. "Exploring the research area of direct taxation. An empirical analysis based on bibliometric analysis results," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 18(s1), pages 355-383, December.
    19. Broccardo, Laura & Tenucci, Andrea & Agarwal, Reeti & Alshibani, Safiya Mukhtar, 2024. "Steering digitalization and management control maturity in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    20. Albiona Pestisha & Zoltán Gabnai & Aidana Chalgynbayeva & Péter Lengyel & Attila Bai, 2023. "On-Farm Renewable Energy Systems: A Systematic Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-25, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:futbus:v:10:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s43093-024-00416-3. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.