Digital Transformation of Small Enterprise Activities in the Context of Economic Security

Abstract

Aim. The presented study aims to develop recommendations for improving the existing mechanisms of adaptation of small enterprises to the uncertain conditions of the external environment associated with digitalization processes in the economy.Tasks. The author analyzes the existing mechanisms of adaptation of small enterprises to the conditions of uncertainty; substantiates the connection between the digitalization of business processes and the economic security of enterprises; proposes an original approach to the content of the mechanism of adaptation of small enterprises to the processes of digitalization.Methods. The author uses general and special scientific methods and techniques. General scientific methods include analysis and synthesis, comparison and generalization, modeling, literature review, observation, and expert assessment. Special scientific methods include factor analysis and process analysis.Results. The author substantiates the introduction of digital tools provided by Industry 4.0 and step-by-step digitalization of small enterprises in the form of original diagrams demonstrating the content of the mechanism of adaptation of enterprises to the processes of digitalization, individual elements of this mechanism (Internet marketing and its technologies), and prospects for the development of the mechanism in the form of a diagram of its integration into a large digital ecosystem (region, cluster, etc.). The most significant elements of the proposed adaptation mechanism are the mechanism of digitalization and the mechanism of economic security of small enterprises as well as their relationship and balance of interests. The study examines practical approaches to the step-by-step digitalization of small enterprise activities by assessing the efficiency of introducing certain Internet marketing tools in the activities of a small enterprise that does not directly operate in online mode (a chain of driving schools). A relevant investment project is assessed, showing the efficiency of all proposed scenarios. The author also considers the prospects of integrating small enterprises into a single digital ecosystem of a larger structure or entity (region, cluster, etc.) for a large-scale socio-economic synergetic effect that would serve as a mutual benefit for all participants of the system.Conclusions. In spite of the lack of a clear model for the digitalization of the economy in Russia and many obstacles to the successful digital transformation of small enterprises, practical digitalization mechanisms are already being developed, offering a set of step-by-step actions for small enterprises with allowance for their limited resources and prospects for development in each market. One of the success factors of digitalization is the correlation and balance between digitalization mechanisms and the economic security of enterprises. By adopting international approaches to Internet marketing technologies, a modern small enterprise gains a significant strategic advantage in the long term.