Digital transformation is a continuous process of change in the operation of businesses. It includes the integration of new technology, new organisational structures and the enhancement of employees’ digital skills. Enterprises across Europe are being called upon to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the fourth industrial revolution, in parallel with initiatives to improve their infrastructure and provide their staff with appropriate training.
The digital transformation of Greek enterprises has been at the centre of the research and statistical activity of the National Documentation Centre (EKT) since 2019, when the organisation became an independent body under the supervision of the Ministry of Digital Governance.
Alongside the Community Innovation Survey (2016-2018), which took place at the end of 2019 and involved 12,213 enterprises, a parallel, targeted survey was designed, collecting data on strategies and practices directly related to the digital transformation of Greek businesses. In the spring of 2020, the publication with the results was released. It was among the first studies in Greece, which highlights business strategies and practices towards their digital transformation process in the COVID-19 era. Aspects that were examined referred to the impact of the pandemic on research activities, problems, challenges and chances that emerged, the outlook of future research activity due to the pandemic-conditions, as well as potential for the upgrading of science in public debate.
In the end of 2020, a second publication in the series of enterprises digital transformation launched by EKT. It focuses on examining the course of the digital transformation of Greek enterprises in 2020, a year of forced reduction of 'natural' economic and social activities due to the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was carried out as part of of the multi-year, periodic statistical survey on Research and Development in Greek Enterprises conducted by EKT as the competent National Authority of the Hellenic Statistical System.
