중소기업 경영진의 디지털 리더십, 조직의 IT역량이 디지털 전환 수준에 미치는 영향 - 디지털 교육의 조절효과를 중심으로 - = The Effects of Executive Digital Leadership and Organizational IT Capability on Digital Transformation in SMEs - The Moderating Role of Digital Education -

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

[Purpose] This study aims to empirically analyze the impact of management's digital leadership and organizational IT capabilities on the level of digital transformation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to verify the moderating effect of digital education on these relationships. Due to the rapid advancement of digital technology and the changing industrial environment, digital transformation in SMEs has emerged as a key challenge for securing competitiveness. However, limitations still exist in the level of actual implementation and performance after technology adoption. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the operational mechanisms of SME digital transformation by comprehensively analyzing key factors.
[Methodology]The data analyzed were from the "2025 SME Information Technology Level Survey," conducted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Promotion Team. Responses from 4,300 SMEs nationwide were used for analysis. For the research analysis, multiple regression analysis and moderating effects analysis were conducted using Hayes' (2022) PROCESS Macro (Model 1). Industry, sales, business experience, and number of employees were included as control variables.
[Findings]Both executive digital leadership and organizational IT capabilities were found to have statistically significant positive effects on the level of digital transformation. Furthermore, digital training significantly moderated the relationship between executive digital leadership and the level of digital transformation, and between organizational IT capabilities and the level of digital transformation. Specifically, the impact of executive digital leadership and organizational IT capabilities on digital transformation was greater in companies that implemented digital training compared to those that did not, confirming that digital training acts as a moderating variable that strengthens these relationships.
[Implications]This study holds theoretical significance in that it empirically examines the role of digital education, as well as management's digital leadership and organizational IT capabilities, in explaining the digital transformation of SMEs from a regulatory mechanism perspective. Furthermore, it suggests the need to consider digital education for both management and employees as a core element, beyond approaches focused on system implementation or technology adoption, when developing SME digital transformation policies and practical strategies.