The COVID-19 pandemic is causing an unprecedented global health crisis with severe socio-economic consequences. This paper explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Digital transformation and vice versa. More especially, the article provides concrete reflections on whether and how the COVID-19 outbreak is accelerating digital transformation in organizations. The main conclusions of this work can be valuable to startups and traditional organisations that intend to explore or seize opportunities in digital transformation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of technological, organizational and environmental factors on innovation ambidexterity and its influence on the performance of manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as the moderating effect environmental dynamism on this relationship.Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on the Technology–Organization–Environment theory and the Knowledge-Based View, this paper develops an integrative research model, which analyzes the network of relations using covariance-based structural equation modeling on a data set of 429 Spanish SMEs.Findings: The results show that information technology capability, knowledge management capability and environmental dynamism are positively associated with innovation ambidexterity. In addition, environmental dynamism is found to strengthen the positive effect of innovation ambidexterity on firm performance.Practical implications: The study findings support the idea that innovation can be developed in an ambidextrous manner within a single SME as long as the firm is capable of creating a suitable organizational context and giving a prompt response to changes in the business environment.Originality/value: Although many studies have highlighted that being ambidextrous is more challenging for SMEs than for their larger counterparts, the vast majority of studies has been conducted in large companies. This paper extends prior literature by analyzing antecedents and outcomes of innovation ambidexterity in manufacturing SMEs.

Purpose: This study aims to shed light on the internal and external antecedents of open innovation (OI) in the context of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a special focus on the role of knowledge management (KM) capability. The paper develops and tests an integrative research model which assesses the effect of internal factors on KM capability; the impact of organizational and external factors, namely, KM capability and environmental dynamism, on OI; and whether environmental dynamism moderates the relationship between KM capability and OI.Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on the knowledge-based view and the social exchange and the contingency theories, this paper develops an integrative research model which analyzes several relations between organizational antecedents of KM capability and its effect on OI by using covariance-based structural equation modeling on a data set of Spanish SMEs.Findings: Results confirm that information technology-supported operations and commitment-based human resource practices have a positive and significant influence on KM capability. In contrast, results do not find support for the relationship between interdepartmental connectedness and KM capability, whereas both KM capability and environmental dynamism have a direct influence on OI.Originality/value: This paper adds to existing research on OI, as it is the first study that addresses the critical role of KM capability for the implementation of OI.