Successful Digital Transformation Initiatives in SMEs - A Relational Goods Perspective

While it is clear that workforce involvement is fundamental for the success of digital transformation, it is also evident that insufficient attention has been paid to emerging strategies to convince employees to become involved. To do so, this book considers Relational Goods, the intersubjective and reflexive relationships existing between employees, within the DOI framework to evaluate how they influence digital transformation success alongside innovation traits, time and communication channels.
The focus for this book is SMEs, as these businesses experience greater difficulties than their larger counterparts in keeping up with the digital revolution. The authors develop the Relational Goods model to a refined DOI framework including the role of relationship and managerial support in the adoption of technologies that may transform the business. It will be of great interest to scholars and students of management, digital transformation and SMEs, as well as HRM professionals.


Anna Marrucci is a PhD Candidate in Business Administration and Management at the University of Pisa, Italy. Her main research interest regards the adoption of new technologies within businesses and the analysis of digital transformation phenomena. Her research has been published in several national and international journals.
Riccardo Rialti is an Assistant Professor of Management, Industry 4.0 and Digital Economy at the University of Milan, Italy. Additionally, he is an Adjunct Professor of Project Management and of Product Management at Polimoda Istitute of Fashion Marketing and Design and an Adjunct Professor of Marketing and Research Methods at the IED (Istituto Europeo di Design). He has published widely and serves in the editorial review board of several journals.