Scholarly record
DIGITAL RESKILLING FOR SMALL BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS: CASE STUDY FROM EASTERN PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES
Abstract
This study explores the role of digital upskilling in enhancing SMEs competitiveness in the Eastern Partnership countries, focusing on Moldova and Armenia. Based on 616 adult learner and 106 SME survey responses, the research highlights a major digital skills gap. While over 70% of SME respondents report difficulty hiring staff with practical digital competencies (digital marketing, digital content creation, graphic design, e-project management, digital learning, digital development and literacy), many adult learners indicate high motivation to get retraining and upgrade their skills. More than 60% of respondents prefer hybrid, practice-oriented programs with flexible formats and applied outcomes. This study draws on empirical findings from the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) project MEDIA, which implemented hybrid digital media courses tailored to these needs. The results support the effectiveness of such models in equipping adults with in-demand skills while supporting SME growth. The study calls for scalable, employer-aligned hybrid programs to address workforce challenges in the region.
Publication Impact Profile
Publication details
References13
Rui Pedro Silva, A new proposed model to assess the digital organizational readiness to maximize the results of the digital transformation in SMEs, January–February 2025. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com. [Accessed 22 05 2025].
GIZ, Making companies in the Eastern Partnership more competitive through digital transformation, 2025. Available: https://www.giz.de. [Accessed 05 07 2025].
OECD, Promoting Digital Business Skills in the Republic of Moldova, OECD Publishing, Paris, 2023.
Harutynunyan H., Advancing economic and digital transformation in the Eastern Partnership region, 2025. Available: https://www.EaP-CSF-Policy-Paper-Working-Group-2.p. [Accessed 06.05 2025].
World Bank, Armenia Firms’ Adoption of Digital Technologies, 2025. Available: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/armenia/ [Accessed 21 02 2025].
Tsebenko O, The Role of the EU in the Development of E-Business in the Eastern Partnership Countries, 2st International Workshop on Social Communication and Information Activity in Digital Humanities, Lviv, Ukraine, 2023.
Pedone A., Training and skills development in SMEs. Analysing the role of support policies and NRRP strategies, Sinappsi, pp. 32-49, n.1, XIII, 2023.
Ivasechko O., The Integration of the Eastern Partnership Countries’ Digital Markets into the EU Digital Single Market, Politics in Central Europe (ISSN 1801-3422), pp. 285-316, No. 2 Vol. 21 2025.
UN Moldova, Digital literacy assessment of adult population in Moldova, Project implemented by the ILO with the support of the Swiss State SECO, Chisinau, 2025.
MEDIA project webpage. Available: https://mediaera.online/. [Accessed 15 05 2025].
Sustainable Development Consortium, The SME Reskilling & Upskilling Initiative. Available: https://sdgconsortium.com/smereskilling. [Accessed 03 07 2025].
Simciuc E., Todorova L., New integration opportunities offered by European Union shared values for youth: exploring higher education policies and sustainable development in the Eastern Partnership Countries. Conference Proceedings, 2nd edition., Chisinau, March 15-16 2023.
Balint, L. P., PГ©ntek, A., Nabradi, Z., & Botos, S. (2025). How can data analytics and employee upskilling foster digital maturity and sustainable practices in SMES?. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 23(2), 606.
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.