Empirical Study on the Influencing Factors of Small and Medium Enterprises' Willingness to Adopt Digital Technologies under the Context of New-Quality Productive Forces

Abstract

Under the development of new-quality productive forces, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have encountered unprecedented challenges, and digital transformation has become the path to break through. Based on the TOE (Technology-Organization-Environment) analytical framework, this study explores the influencing factors of SMEs' willingness to adopt digital technologies in Guangdong Province. The findings indicate that at the technological level, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use have significant positive impacts on SMEs' willingness to adopt digital technologies. At the organizational level, top management involvement has a significant positive effect on SMEs' willingness to adopt digital technologies, while the influence of top management attitudes is not significant. At the environmental level, mimetic pressure and normative pressure have significant positive impacts on SMEs' willingness to adopt digital technologies, but the impact of coercive pressure is not significant. Based on these findings, suggestions are put forward from the three levels mentioned above to assist SMEs in achieving digital transformation and upgrading.