From digital maturity assessment to development prioritization: an integrated scoring framework for SMEs

Empirical evidence from Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises

Absztrakt

Digital transformation has become a key driver of competitiveness, innovation, and long-term sustainability for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well. Although numerous digital maturity models have been developed to assess organizational readiness for digital transformation, most existing frameworks focus primarily on measuring technological and organizational maturity while providing limited support for development prioritization and managerial decision-making. This study develops and empirically validates a Digital Maturity Scoring and Development Prioritization Framework that integrates digital maturity, digital capabilities, strategic alignment, and market presence into a unified assessment system. The empirical analysis is based on survey data collected from 74 Hungarian SMEs operating across various sectors of the economy. The results reveal considerable variation in both digital maturity and business impact, while also demonstrating that technological development does not automatically translate into business value. The proposed framework extends traditional maturity assessment approaches by linking measurement with development prioritization and managerial decision support. In addition to its practical applicability, the framework provides a potential foundation for future AI-assisted diagnostic systems capable of generating automated assessments and development recommendations for resource-constrained SMEs.