The Survival Trap: A Behavioural Typology of SME Digitalization and the Human Capital Paradox in Poland
Abstract
This study challenges the size-based determinism of traditional digital maturity models by proposing a behavioural typology of SME digitalization. It investigates whether “strategic intent” and “resource complementarity” are stronger predictors of digital maturity than firm size alone. A quantitative survey was conducted with 392 Polish SMEs using K-Means clustering analysis. The study identifies distinct behavioural profiles based on strategic mindset, digital adoption, and performance outcomes. The analysis reveals three distinct clusters: ‘The Survivalists’ (Cluster 0), who are trapped in a low-maturity equilibrium due to a lack of absorptive capacity; ‘The Strategic Innovators’ (Cluster 1), who leverage dynamic capabilities for growth; and ‘The Transients’ (Cluster 2), a transitionary group. The findings confirm that digital maturity is driven by behavioural factors (mindset, skills) rather than firm demographics. The study contributes to the Resource-Based View (RBV) by identifying the “Human Capital Paradox”, where funds are available but skills are not, and introduces a non-linear typology that explains why some SMEs stagnate despite having access to technology.
References
Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120.
Cohen, W. M., & Levinthal, D. A. (1990). Absorptive capacity: A new perspective on learning and innovation. Administrative Science Quarterly, 128-152.
digitalpoland & symfonia. (2022). Investing in technology in the age of pandemics. 2022 edition. https://digitalpoland.org/en/publications/download?id=4292ca58-db31-4165-aacc-c4ab246a5834&subscribed=1
Eurostat. (2023). Methodological Manual for Statistics on the Information Society. Publications Office of the European Union. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/digital-economy-and-society/methodology
Ingaldi, M., & Ulewicz, R. (2020). Problems with the Implementation of Industry 4.0 in Enterprises from the SME Sector. Sustainability, 12(1), Article 1.
Jaciow, M., Hoffmann-Burdzińska, K., Marzec, I., & Rzońca, Ł. (2025). Digital Maturity as a Driver of Sustainable Development Goal Achievement in Polish Enterprises: Evidence from Empirical Research. Sustainability, 17(18), 8465.
Jankowska, B., Mińska-Struzik, E., Bartosik-Purgat, M., Götz, M., & Olejnik, I. (2023). Industry 4.0 technologies adoption: Barriers and their impact on Polish companies’ innovation performance. European Planning Studies, 31(5), 1029–1049.
Kane, G. C., Palmer, D., Phillips, A. N., Kiron, D., & Buckley, N. (2017). Achieving Digital Maturity. MIT Sloan Management Review and Deloitte University Press.
Kane, G. C., Palmer, D., Phillips, A. N., Kiron, D., & Buckley, N. (2024). Społeczeństwo informacyjne w Polsce w 2 [Information society in Poland in 2]. Statistics Poland & Statistical Office in Szczecin. https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/nauka-i-technika-spoleczenstwo-informacyjne/spoleczenstwo-informacyjne/spoleczenstwo-informacyjne-w-polsce-w-2024-roku,1,18.html
Kolisnichenko, P. (2025). Poland’s Digital Leap: Progress, Challenges and Opportunities. In Digital Transformation and IT Implementation: Driving Sustainable Development Across Nations (pp. 153–182). Scientific Center of Innovative Research.
Łobacz, K., & Tylżanowski, R. (2022). Digitalisation levels of innovation management practices – pilot study of service SMEs in Poland. Procedia Computer Science, 207, 3770–3779.
Mieszajkina, E., & Myśliwiecka, A. (2022). Digital activity of Polish small enterprises. Scientific Papers of Silesian University of Technology. Organization and Management Series, 2022(166), 565–579.
Orłowska, R., & Żołądkiewicz, K. (2018). Ograniczenia digitalizacji mikro-, małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw (MMŚP) w Polsce na podstawie badań w województwie pomorskim [Limitations of digitalization of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Poland based on research in the Pomeranian Voivodeship]. Studia Ekonomiczne, 372, 94–109.
Pawełoszek, I., Wieczorkowski, J., & Czarnacka-Chrobot, B. (2022). Digital Transformation of Polish micro-enterprises: Lessons from the COVID-19 Era. Procedia Computer Science, 225, 1572–1581.
Raskino, M., & Waller, G. (2015). Digital Business Maturity Model (Gartner Research Note G00273792). Gartner, Inc.
Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319–1350.
Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers and Symfonia. (2023). Digitisation of the SME sector in Poland. https://zpp.net.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/02.11.2023-Raport-Cyfryzacja-sektora-MSP-w-Polsce.pdf
Warner, K. S., & Wäger, M. (2019). Building dynamic capabilities for digital transformation: An ongoing process of strategic renewal. Long Range Planning, 52(3), 326-349.
Zakrzewsk, R., Orłowska, J., Łapiński, J., Nieć, M., Chaber, P., Zadura, P., & Bednarek, W. (2024). Raport o stanie sektora małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw w Polsce [Report on the state of the small and medium-sized enterprise sector in Poland]. https://www.parp.gov.pl/storage/publications/pdf/ROSS_2024.pdf
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nijat Hajiyev
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The author fully assumes the content originality and the holograph signature makes him responsible in case of trial.
