Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
4th International Conference on Technology, IConTech 2024, Alanya, Türkiye, 2 - 05 Mayıs 2024, cilt.27, ss.63-80
In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digitalization emerges as a key driver reshaping societal norms and business models, particularly for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This paper aims to identify and prioritize the barriers SMEs face in their digital transformation journey. Utilizing the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, a method adept at handling the uncertainties and complexities in prioritizing barriers, this study identifies 26 sub-barriers grouped into five main categories through literature review and expert consultation. The analysis reveals organizational barriers as the most significant, suggesting the need for strategic planning to navigate digital transformation challenges. The research underscores the risk of a widening digital divide, where SMEs lagging in digital adoption may exacerbate employment and regional economic disparities. This study examines the digital transformation challenges of SMEs within Industry 4.0, with a focus on Turkey, providing new insights for strategic planning and policy-making to address these barriers.