Abstract
The article is devoted to assessing adaptation models of small and medium-sized enterprises in Ukraine under conditions of accelerated digital transformation of the economy. The purpose of the study is to identify structural barriers, provide a quantitative diagnosis of the level of digital maturity, and substantiate strategic directions for integrating digital solutions into the SME management system. The analytical framework combines statistical analysis of indicators for 2021–2025, comparison of sectoral differences, and modeling of forecast scenarios up to 2030. The empirical base was formed from data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, analytical reports of the European Business Association, and international studies on enterprise digital integration. The research applies methods of structural and functional analysis, index-based assessment of digital maturity, and scenario forecasting. The indicators are aligned with parameters of financial stability, human resource capacity, and infrastructure accessibility. The results record uneven digital integration across sectors. The share of enterprises using cloud services exceeded 60%, whereas comprehensive ERP solutions cover less than one-third of SMEs. The digital competence index of personnel fluctuates within 0.45–0.50, which constrains the effectiveness of innovation implementation. A relationship was identified between the level of process automation and productivity growth: digitally integrated companies demonstrate higher revenue dynamics and a reduction in operating costs. At the same time, financial barriers and regulatory instability shorten the horizon of strategic planning. The forecast up to 2030 envisages the transition of a part of SMEs to the third level of digital maturity with active use of data analytics and AI solutions. Scenario analysis confirms an increase in the share of digital investments in enterprise budgets to 25–30%. The economic effect is manifested through enhanced managerial flexibility, expansion of export opportunities, and optimization of the cost structure. The scientific novelty lies in combining quantitative diagnosis of barriers with a forecast model of digital maturity of Ukrainian SMEs. The practical significance of the results consists of developing tools for the strategic adaptation of SMEs to the principles of the digital economy.
References
1. Balanovska, T., Havrysh, O., Gogulya, O., Dramaretska, K., & Voskolupov, V. (2025). Instruments for forming an adaptive and competitive enterprise management system in the context of digital transformation. Economics and Business Management, 16(4), 111–130. https://doi.org/10.31548/economics/4.2025.111
2. Bilyi, D. I., & Harafonova, O. I. (2025). Metodolohichni aspekty tsyfrovoi transformatsii pidpryiemstv u riznykh sektorakh ekonomiky [Methodological aspects of digital transformation of enterprises in various sectors of the economy]. Economic Synergy, 1(15), 35–52. https://doi.org/10.53920/ES-2025-1-3 (in Ukrainian)
3. Cosa, M. (2024). Business digital transformation: strategy adaptation, communication and future agenda. Journal of Strategy and Management, 17(2), 244–259. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-09-2023-0233
4. Dankevych, V., Ivaniuk, O., & Akhmetov, I. (2025). The role of policy and economic framework conditions in shaping digitalisation in the agricultural sector in Ukraine. Scientific Horizons, 28(10), 32–43. https://doi.org/10.48077/scihor10.2025.32
5. Derzhavna sluzhba statystyky Ukrainy. (2025). Ofitsiinyi veb-portal derzhavnoi statystychnoi informatsii [Official web portal of state statistical information]. https://www.ukrstat.gov.ua (in Ukrainian)
6. European Business Association. (2025). Researches and analytics: indexes and surveys on the business environment in Ukraine. European Business Association. https://eba.com.ua/ua/research/doslidzhennya-ta-analityka/
7. Gao, S., Teh, P.-L., & Ho, H. H.-P. (2026). Digital transformation and innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs): a systematic review and future research agenda. Cogent Business & Management, 13(1), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2026.2612775
8. Kahveci, E. (2025). Digital Transformation in SMEs: Enablers, Interconnections, and a Framework for Sustainable Competitive Advantage. Administrative Sciences, 15(3), 107. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15030107
9. Kallmuenzer, A., Mikhaylov, A., Chelaru, M., & Czakon, W. (2025). Adoption and performance outcome of digitalization in small and medium-sized enterprises. Review of Managerial Science, 19(7), 2011–2038. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-024-00744-2
10. Kamyshnykova, E. V., & Muterko, H. M. (2025). Stratehichne planuvannia tsyfrovoi transformatsii maloho ta serednoho biznesu [Strategic planning of digital transformation of small and medium-sized business]. Ekonomichnyi prostir – Economic Space, (206), 86–92. https://doi.org/10.30838/EP.206.86-92 (in Ukrainian)
11. Kazak, O. O., & Didushok, R. Z. (2025). Tsyfrova transformatsiia maloho ta serednoho biznesu Ukrainy v umovakh voiennoho stanu: vyklyky, mozhlyvosti ta stratehii adaptatsii [Digital transformation of small and medium-sized business in Ukraine under martial law: challenges, opportunities and adaptation strategies]. European Scientific Journal of Economic and Financial Innovation, 3(17), 558–567. http://doi.org/10.32750/2025-0348 (in Ukrainian)
12. Makedon, V., Myachin, V., Aloshyna, T., Cherniavska, I., & Karavan, N. (2025). Improving the readiness of enterprises to develop sustainable innovation strategies through fuzzy logic models. Economic Studies (Ikonomicheski Izsledvania), 34(5), 165–179. https://archive.econ-studies.iki.bas.bg/2025/2025_05/2025_05_09.pdf
13. Makedon, V., Myachin, V., Sokol, P., & Hordiichuk, S. (2025). Synchronization of marketing strategies with company restructuring. Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 2(13), 71–81. https://doi.org/10.15587/1729-4061.2025.326377
14. Marolt, M., Lenart, G., Kljajić Borštnar, M., & Pucihar, A. (2025). Exploring digital transformation journey among micro, small-, and medium-sized enterprises. Systems, 13(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13010001
15. Moreira, L. L., Pinto, S. S., Costa, L., & Araújo, N. (2025). Evaluating digital transformation in small and medium enterprises using the Alkire-Foster method. Heliyon, 11(2), e41838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41838
16. Moses, V., Nwaolisa, C. T., Popoola, O. J., Nnmadu, T., & Ochigbo, A. (2025). Digitalization and sustainable growth of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). International Journal of Science, Applications and Prosperity, 3(1), 17–37. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15359985
17. Muhammad, S. S., Dey, B. L., Kamal, M. M., Samuel, L., & Alzeiby, E. A. (2025). Digital transformation or digital divide? SMEs’ use of AI during global crisis. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, (217), 124184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124184
18. OECD. (2025). AI adoption by small and medium-sized enterprises: OECD discussion paper for the G7. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/426399c1-en
19. Panasiuk, V., & Monastyrskyi, H. (2025). Tsyfrovizatsiia ekonomichnykh protsesiv yak chynnyk rozvytku rehionalnoho biznesu [Digitalization of economic processes as a factor in regional business development]. Ukrainian Journal of Applied Economics and Technology, 10(2), 205–208. https://doi.org/10.36887/2415-8453-2025-2-40 (in Ukrainian)
20. Polishchuk, Ye., Herneho, Yu., & Horbov, V. (2025). Tsyfrova transformatsiia relokovanoho biznesu [Digital transformation of relocated business]. Economy of Ukraine, 68(5), 53–71. https://doi.org/10.15407/economyukr.2025.05.053 (in Ukrainian)
21. Quenum, G. G. Y., Vallée, S., & Ertz, M. (2025). The Digital Maturity of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Region. Machines, 13(9), 835. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines13090835
22. Senthilvelan, R. (2025). Digital transformation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs): barriers, strategies, and future outlook. International Journal of Engineering Technology Research & Management, 9(9), 208–217. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17144757
23. Shapovalova, I. O. (2025). Obgruntuvannia stratehii ekonomichnoho upravlinnia pidpryiemstvom v umovakh tsyfrovizatsii [Substantiation of strategies for economic management of an enterprise under digitalization]. Ukrainian Journal of Applied Economics and Technology, 10(2), 258–267. https://doi.org/10.36887/2415-8453-2025-2-51 (in Ukrainian)
24. Siuta-Tokarska, B., Żmija, K., Kruk, S., Krzemiński, P., & Thier, A. (2025). Digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Visegrad countries. Polskie Wydawnictwo Ekonomiczne. https://doi.org/10.33226/978-83-208-2633-3
25. Wang, S., & Zhang, H. (2025). Digital Transformation and Innovation Performance in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Systems Perspective on the Interplay of Digital Adoption, Digital Drive, and Digital Culture. Systems, 13(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13010043
26. Wiratih, H. W. R., Miswan, M., Widada, D., & Mahmudah, S. (2025). Strategic adaptation narratives of small businesses facing digital transformation. Formosa Journal of Science and Technology, 4(11), 3645–3658. https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v4i11.311
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2026 Marta Derhaliuk, Svitlana Suvorova, Volodymyr Pugachov