Digital transformation process of SME entrepreneurs: the perspective of century-old businesses

Abstract

This study explores digital transformation among century-old SMEs (established 1833–1921) in the food and beverage industry, focusing on their technological awareness and usage behaviors. Using a mixed method, convergent parallel design, it identifies four digital maturity stages: Technology Avoidant, Passive Acceptance, Technology Adaptation, and Researcher/ Pioneer. These stages reveal diverse levels of digital integration influenced by both intrinsic motivations and external pressures. Unlike generic SME models, the framework highlights tradition driven resistance, nonlinear adoption paths, and a nuanced balance of internal and external drivers traits unique to historic SMEs navigating digital change.