INFLUENCE OF AN SME’S SIZE ON THE INTEGRATION OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND INTERNET USAGE

This paper presents an overview of a part of the research performed in order to define the ways and criteria for determining the degree of success of the digitalization of SMEs. During this research, a new Index of the Digitalization of SMEs was defined. It enables a fast assessment of the digitalization level for each SME. The index itself includes four dimensions, of which the third and fourth, Integration of digital technologies and Internet usage, were considered in this paper. The first considered dimension describes the level of digital technology use and electronic commerce. The second dimension focuses on Internet communications and Internet transactions. Considering the importance of using the Internet in the business of most SMEs, the paper presents an analysis of the relationship between the use of the Internet and the connection of SMEs to the Internet. After presenting the methodology of the research, there are shown the results of the research obtained using this methodology. Three research questions supported by appropriate hypotheses, null and alternative, are discussed. Particular emphasis in the research is placed on determining the impact of the size of SMEs on Internet usage. Based on the research, it was established that there is a correlation between the size of SMEs and the level of integration of digital technologies, but there is no correlation between the size of SMEs and the dimension “Internet usage”. This work can usefully serve anyone involved in the digitalization of SMEs and/or in the re-engineering of SMEs' business processes.