Digital Transformation Capabilities and Business Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises: Empirical Evidence from Hanoi, Vietnam

Authors

  • Nguyen My Anh The Business Assistance Centre, Agency for Private Enterprise and Cooperative Development (APED), Ministry of Finance Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jmrr/V2E8/2026-09

Keywords:

Digital transformation capabilities, SME performance, Strategic governance, Digitalization paradox, Dynamic capabilities, Emerging markets, Vietnam

Abstract

This study investigates the direct empirical impacts of digital transformation capabilities—specifically technology infrastructure, human resources, and strategic governance—on the business performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in Hanoi, Vietnam. Utilizing a quantitative research design, primary survey data were collected from 132 SME decision-makers in June 2026 and analyzed using multiple linear regression via IBM SPSS Statistics. The findings confirm that all three capability dimensions significantly enhance SME performance, with digital strategy and governance emerging as the primary determinant, surpassing technological infrastructure and workforce competencies. These results demonstrate that overcoming the "digitalization paradox" in small enterprises depends heavily on executive leadership commitment and strategic clarity, which ensure that technology investments effectively translate into cost efficiency, market expansion, and financial health. Overall, this research advances the dynamic capabilities perspective by establishing the hierarchical importance of strategic governance in emerging-market SMEs.

References

1) Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120.

2) Bui, Q. H., Tran, A. H., Tu, T. H., & Nguyen, P. N. (2023). Advancement of cloud-based accounting effectiveness, decision-making quality, and firm performance through digital transformation and digital leadership: Empirical evidence from Vietnam. Heliyon, 9(6), e16929.

3) Cenamor, J., Parida, V., & Wincent, J. (2019). How entrepreneurial SMEs compete through digital platforms: The roles of digital platform capability, network capability and ambidexterity. Journal of Business Research, 100, 196–206.

4) Guo, X., Li, M., Wang, Y., & Mardani, A. (2023). Does digital transformation improve the firm's performance? From the perspective of digitalization paradox and managerial myopia. Journal of Business Research, 163, 113868.

5) Li, L., Su, F., Zhang, W., & Mao, J. Y. (2018). Digital transformation by SME entrepreneurs: A capability perspective. Information Systems Journal, 28(6), 1129–1157.

6) Merín-Rodrigáñez, J., Dasí, À., & Alegre, J. (2024). Digital transformation and firm performance in innovative SMEs: The mediating role of business model innovation. Technovation, 134, 103027.

7) Van Hoang, D., Thi Hien, N., Van Thang, H., Nguyen Truc Phuong, P., & Thi-Thuy Duong, T. (2025). Digital capabilities and sustainable competitive advantages: The case of emerging market manufacturing SMEs. Sage Open, 15(2), 21582440251329967.

8) Nguyen, Q. D., Nguyen, H. T., Vu, O. T. K., Tran, T. V., & Nguyen, H. T. T. (2025). What drives firms towards digital transformation adoption: evidence from Vietnam. Journal of International Economics and Management, 25(3), 184–201.

9) Teece, D. J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal,18(7), 509–533.

10) Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Dong, J. Q., Fabian, N., & Haenlein, M. (2021). Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 122, 889–901.

11) Vo, D. H., Vo, A. T., Dinh, C. T. H., & Tran, N. P. (2024). Corporate restructuring and firm performance in Vietnam: The moderating role of digital transformation. PLOS ONE, 19(5).

12) Wang, D., & Xia, X. (2023). The impact of corporate digital transformation on firms' performance in utilities sector. Heliyon, 10(1).

13) Warner, K. S. R., & Wäger, M. (2019). Building dynamic capabilities for digital transformation: An ongoing process of strategic renewal. Long Range Planning, 52(3), 326–349.

14) Zhai, H., Yang, M., & Chan, K. C. (2022). Does digital transformation enhance a firm's performance? Evidence from China. Technology in Society, 68, 101841.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-18

How to Cite

Anh, N. M. (2026). Digital Transformation Capabilities and Business Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises: Empirical Evidence from Hanoi, Vietnam. Journal of Management Research and Review, 2(08), 634-639. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jmrr/V2E8/2026-09