USING AUTOMATIZATION AND DIGITIZATION MEASURES TO SUPPORT BUSINESS CONTINUITY OF ENTERPRISES IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Purpose: The paper aims to identify how and where elements of digital transformation of activities implemented in enterprises can increase the resilience of the production system to pandemic threats. Design/methodology/approach: The paper presents the selected results of a survey conducted using the mixed-mode CATI and CAWI on a representative group of 600 manufacturing enterprises in Poland. An analysis of measures used in the case of COVID-19 infections in the company to support business continuity and enhance resilience was carried out. A quantitative evaluation of the collected data, oriented to identify the level of application of emergency response measures, was conducted, including the support of statistical tools (Statistica software). Findings: The study identified dozens of different measures implemented in manufacturing enterprises. Among the measures studied, there were those related to automation and digitalization of activities in the organization of production processes. The data analysis showed that there were significant correlations between the type of measures used, as well as the characteristics of the enterprises, and the production processes implemented in them. Research limitations/implications: Future studies should also include companies with a high degree of automation and digitization of production. In addition to descriptive analysis, a quantitative-statistical approach should be used. Practical implications: On the practical side, it was pointed out how and where elements of digital transformation of activities implemented in enterprises can increase the resilience of the production system to pandemic threats. Digitization and automation measures should be used by managers to support the implementation of production processes also in the context of improving the efficiency of enterprises. Social implications: Enterprises can use the study results to improve business continuity policies and preparing for threats similar to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originality/value: The novelty of the survey is the comprehensive assessment of the use of solutions from the ICT area in manufacturing enterprises, analyzed in different cross sections (size, industry, occurrence of the COVID-19 case). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]