Research on the Triple Dilemma of Digital Transformation in Private Enterprises and Pathways to Breakthrough

Abstract

Driven by the global digital wave and national strategic initiatives, digital transformation has emerged as a pivotal force propelling economic growth and societal change. China places high importance on digital economic development, successively introducing multiple policies to advance the deep integration of digital technologies with the real economy. Against this backdrop, private enterprises-as key players in the national economy-face a digital transformation journey that not only impacts their own competitiveness but also serves as a vital pillar for achieving high-quality economic development and building a modern industrial system. However, in practice, numerous private enterprises face practical obstacles such as weak technological adaptability, significant funding pressures, and organizational coordination barriers, resulting in transformation progress lagging behind expectations. This study employs the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework and the Resource-Based View (RBV) to analyze the interactive relationship between external environmental pressures, technological barriers, internal resource constraints, and capability gaps in private enterprises' digital transformation. It reveals the formation and reinforcement mechanisms of a triple dilemma. Findings indicate a mutually reinforcing negative cycle among these dilemmas, with resource constraints, capability gaps, and ecosystem limitations serving as core drivers. To address these challenges, this study proposes a three-dimensional solution: constructing a tiered transformation pathway, establishing an ecosystem collaboration system, and implementing targeted policy empowerment. This framework offers theoretical guidance and practical reference for the digital transformation of private enterprises.