ABSTRACT

The pandemic is a major crisis for small businesses. Digital transformation (DT) offers a lifeline for some small businesses. In this paper, we outline a rapidly conceived and implemented research project to digitalise small business. We apply action design research using the DT lens to intervene and impact 42 different small businesses over an intense six-month period. Three detailed case studies illustrate the problem, drivers, mechanisms, and challenges of DT. The results illustrate how small businesses can engage, sell, and deliver using technology, and the factors that influence the transformation process. We also discuss limitations and identify research opportunities in relation to the DT, platform, and small business literature. The paper demonstrates how IS can have an immediate impact on the livelihoods of the businesses in our community during the pandemic.

摘要

大流行是小企业的重大危机。数字化转型 (DT) 为一些小型企业提供了生命线。在本文中，我们概述了一个快速构思和实施的研究项目，以实现小型企业数字化。我们使用 DT 镜头应用行动设计研究，在为期六个月的紧张时期内干预和影响 42 家不同的小企业。三个详细的案例研究说明了 DT 的问题、驱动因素、机制和挑战。结果说明了小型企业如何使用技术参与、销售和交付，以及影响转型过程的因素。我们还讨论了与 DT、平台和小企业文献相关的局限性并确定了研究机会。