20.500.12556/ReVIS-12230 Digital Transformation of Companies in the Western Balkans Digitalna transformacija podjetij na Zahodnem Balkanu Purpose: The purpose of this research is to assess the state of digital transformation among companies in the Western Balkans and identify key opportunities and barriers. The study aims to inform strategies that enhance competitiveness, support sustainable development, and facilitate closer integration with the European Single Digital Market. Study design/methodology/approach: The methodology is a comparative, indicator-based assessment of digital transformation in the Western Balkans, combining statistical data, policy analysis, and a focus on SMEs and national strategies. Findings: The study reveals pronounced disparities in digital transformation across the Western Balkans, with Croatia and Slovenia approaching EU benchmarks, while Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia continue to lag due to limited digital skills and underdeveloped infrastructure. Strengthening human capital, enhancing business adoption of digital tools, and reinforcing supportive policy frameworks are critical for advancing competitiveness and fostering deeper integration into the European digital single market. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the literature by providing a comparative, indicator-based analysis of digital transformation in the Western Balkans, a region that remains underexplored. It offers original insights into the role of SMEs, structural barriers, and policy frameworks, highlighting how digitalization can enhance competitiveness, promote sustainable development, and facilitate integration into the European single digital market. Namen:Prispevek ocenjuje stanje digitalne transformacije na Zahodnem Balkanu ter identificira ključne priložnosti in ovire za konkurenčnost, trajnostni razvoj in vključitev v enotni digitalni trg Evropske unije. Oblika študije/metodologija/pristop: Uporabljena je bila primerjalna analiza, zasnovana na kazalnikih, ki združuje statistične podatke, pregled politik ter osredotočenost na mala in srednje velika podjetja (MSP) ter nacionalne strategije. Ugotovitve: Rezultati razkrivajo pomembna neskladja: Hrvaška in Slovenija se približujeta referenčnim vrednostim EU, medtem ko Albanija, Bosna in Hercegovina ter Severna Makedonija zaostajajo zaradi šibkih digitalnih veščin in infrastrukture. Napredek na področju človeškega kapitala, digitalnega sprejemanja v MSP ter podpornih političnih okvirov je ključen za konkurenčnost in integracijo v EU. Izvirnost/vrednost: Študija predstavlja eno redkih primerjalnih analiz digitalne transformacije na Zahodnem Balkanu ter ponuja nove vpoglede v MSP, strukturne ovire in politične ukrepe. true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2025-09-19 12:29:10 2025-09-19 12:29:10 2025-09-29 13:02:50 0000-00-00 00:00:00 0 0 0 no. 2 Vol. 14 2025 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno NiDoloceno 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 2025-09-10 2232-5107 2232-5697 https://doi.org/10.53615/10.53615/2232-5697.14.387-398 https://toknowpress.net/submission/index.php/ijmkl/article/download/228/147 1 7b22fb37-9543-11f0-9bb7-001a4af901a5 https://revis.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=14272 https://toknowpress.net/submission/index.php/ijmkl/article/download/228/147 1 7b23acff-9543-11f0-9bb7-001a4af901a5 https://revis.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=14273 RAZ_Kelecevic_Teodora_0.pdf RAZ_Kelecevic_Teodora_0.pdf 1 BC2CC5887B7DF0AD2E46E3FD9B0C9A37 f9b84e39a7d315f3de8d652dee5abe2fc6aba972ba568ed1479691b3c8709b22 1fc1a3c2-9544-11f0-9bb7-001a4af901a5 https://revis.openscience.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=14274 Mednarodna fakulteta za družbene in poslovne študije 0 0 0