Project description
Understanding the impact of digital transformation on SME performance
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden face growing pressure to adapt to digitalisation and automation (DA) to stay competitive. However, the impact of DA on their operations and finances remains unclear. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the IMPACT AIR project, a postdoctoral fellowship, will address this challenge by using a hybrid approach combining AI and information retrieval to analyse both numerical data and unstructured text. The project will develop text-based measures to assess DA levels and their impact on SME performance. It will also use a specialised dictionary and topic modelling and provide insights into the optimal DA strategies, therefore empowering SMEs in their digital transformation journey. Ultimately, the research will inform policy and provide actionable recommendations for SMEs and managers.
Objective
This MSCA postdoctoral fellowship project aims to assess the impact of Digitalization and Automation (DA) on the operational and financial performance of manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Sweden. The research employs an innovative hybrid approach, combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Retrieval (IR) techniques to analyze both numerical data and unstructured text from company reports and scientific literature. The project's main objectives include:
- Developing and validating text-based measures to quantify DA levels in manufacturing SMEs
- Assessing the impact of DA on operational efficiency and financial performance
- Identifying optimal levels of DA for manufacturing SMEs
The methodology involves creating a dictionary of DA terms, applying topic modeling to company reports and academic literature, and constructing panel datasets for regression analysis. This approach allows for a more comprehensive understanding of DA's effects on SMEs compared to traditional survey-based methods. The research is structured into six work packages, covering project management, training and career development, data collection, data analysis, dissemination, and public outreach. The project will result in conference papers, journal articles, and book chapters, as well as various public engagement initiatives. Key expected outcomes include:
- A framework for understanding DA in manufacturing SMEs based on scientific literature
- A specialized dictionary of DA terms for the manufacturing SME context
- Insights into the relationship between DA levels and SME performance
- Recommendations for optimal DA implementation in manufacturing SMEs
The project contributes to scientific, technological, and social impacts by advancing AI and IR techniques in business research, informing policy decisions, and supporting SMEs in their digital transformation journey. The researcher will benefit from a multidisciplinary environment at Linnaeus University.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science
- social sciences sociology industrial relations automation
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
35195 Vaxjo
Sweden
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.