Digital Transformation in VN: the SME and SOE experience
The ambition of ‘digital transformation’ is to use data to change how the enterprise interacts with its ecosystem of staff, customers and suppliers. This working paper is based on findings from surveys, interviews and focus groups conducted between 2019-20 with middle to senior-level managers at state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and small to medium-sized enterprises SMEs) operating in Vietnam (n=180). This working paper was co-authored by the RMIT Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE) and the RMIT School of Business & Management.
Reactions from industry experts
Dr Nguyen Huu Le
Chairman, TMA Solutions
Dr Le believes that Vietnam's software industry is well-positioned to support enterprises on their digital transformation journey:
"The Vietnamese economy is moving higher up the value chain and technology can help the country progress even further by increasing productivity and quality, creating more value and becoming more competitive in both domestic and global markets. After more than 20 years of fast growth, Vietnamese software providers are more ready than ever to provide end-to-end solutions for companies in Vietnam and around the world."
Mr. Rick Yvanovich
Founder & CEO
TRG International
Mr Yvanovich thinks that business leaders should ensure that all levels of the enterprise are involved in digital transformation strategy:
"I believe what people most misunderstand about digital transformation is that it is purely technology-centric. For example, launching a new mobile app, connecting your website to Apple Pay, moving data to the cloud are all typical digital initiatives. But digital transformation is a lot more than just a collection of disparate IT projects. Instead, these projects should be directed by an organisation-wide effort, with buy-in from all business functions."
Ms. Doan Kieu My
Initiator & Founder
YellowBlocks
Ms Kieu My urges business leaders to shift from antiquated management towards dynamic structures:
"...I am astonished that the findings of this qualitative research indicate that many companies in Vietnam have yet to understand the nature and purpose of digital transformation. Digital transformation is not just about disruption or technology; it embraces the cultural, organizational and operational business potentials unleashed by a customer centric focus."
