A study of digital transformation and MSMEs performance from a spatial perspective: Evidence from China

Aim/purpose – Not only have micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) been regarded as a driving force of the national economy, but they have also become important in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. In general, today’s MSMEs face problems, such as high business costs, insufficient innovation, and inadequate management capabilities, that have all forced the digital transformation of MSMEs. However, in existing studies, the impact of digital transformation on performance is controversial, and the subjects are generally listed companies. In this paper, we have decided to use micro business survey data and analyze them from a spatial perspective to explore how MSMEs’ digital transformation plays a role in influencing performance and the path of its effect.