Evolution of research on SMEs digital transformation and territorial economic development: a systematic review and bibliometric analysis

Abstract

The examination of the relationship between the territorial economic development (TED) and the digital transformation (DT) of SMEs has occupied an increasingly important place in scientific literature over the last ten years. This article provides a qualitative overview of existing studies in order to understand the theoretical and empirical foundations that underpin this field of research. This procedure seeks to identify the main trends, agreements, and disagreements observed, as well as the methodological limitations observed in previous research. The analysis is based on a mixed-methods approach that combines a qualitative systematic review with a bibliometric analysis of research in business economics, environmental science and ecology, operations research, management science, and development studies. The findings highlight that the digital transformation of SMEs stimulates innovation, competitiveness, productivity, and regional economic growth. However, the literature remains fragmented and focuses primarily on partial effects specifically, the competitiveness or performance of SMEs, at the expense of a comprehensive approach to territorial economic development. The article thus highlights the need for integrated empirical research aimed at studying the effects of the digital transformation of SMEs on territorial economic development.