Evaluating the relationship between digital transformation and resilience of small and medium enterprises in the post-Covid-19 era in South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between digital transformation and resilience of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the post-COVID-19 era in South Africa. The quantitative research approach was selected as the appropriate methodology for this study, while the purposive sampling approach was selected as the appropriate way for selecting the participants for this study. Primary data was acquired from business owners of retail SMEs establishments and then analysed, using SPSS. A total of 132 copies of a questionnaire were sent out for this study, with 128 of them being returned (for a response rate of 97%). Two statistical tests - regression and Pearson‘s correlation - were performed. According to the results, digital transformation has an absolute value (0.329) that explains the most variations in the regression model. The study recommended that entrepreneurs need to invest in digital infrastructure to ensure the smooth running of digital activities. Items like high-speed Internet, the cloud, and secure computing fall under this category.