Digital transformation (DX) has become a matter of survival for Vietnamese enterprises, especially SMEs. However, according to recent surveys, the process faces a series of challenges: high investment costs, lack of digital human resources, limited technological infrastructure, reluctance to change, and the absence of a clear strategy. Only 7.6% of businesses have a well-structured digital transformation plan, while 48.8% have experimented with some solutions but failed to sustain them (Annual Report on Business Digital Transformation, 2022).
In this context, universities – with their combined roles in education, research, and knowledge connection – hold great potential to become strategic partners of enterprises in digital transformation. To support universities wishing to engage more deeply in enterprise digital transformation and to leverage their strengths, KisStartup presents a detailed analysis based on Hồ Tú Bảo’s six-step digital transformation framework. For each stage, corresponding university actions or programs are proposed to highlight their role as knowledge transfer hubs within the digital transformation ecosystem.
1. Awareness and Mindset Change
- Enterprise needs: Most SMEs lack a clear understanding of what digital transformation means or what practical benefits it brings. Many believe it simply means “buying new software.” The biggest barrier lies in management mindset and fear of change. According to a 2025 nationwide survey, 69% of businesses only use email or basic accounting software, without adopting more strategic digital solutions (Ministry of Science and Technology, 2025).
- What universities can do: They can organize awareness workshops, publish research reports on technological trends, or develop Digital Maturity Assessment tools to help SMEs evaluate their readiness. This model is common across Europe and feasible in Vietnam. With academic credibility, universities can better persuade business leaders who often distrust private service providers. International example: European universities have developed Digital Maturity Assessment Tools for SMEs.
2. Defining a Digital Transformation Roadmap
- Enterprise needs: SMEs often lack clear strategies or plans. Many initiatives are abandoned midway, causing waste. According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (2023–2024), micro and small businesses face particular difficulties due to limited capital, human resources, and technical capability.
- What universities can do: Faculties of economics, IT, or management can develop digital readiness assessment frameworks and offer consulting services to build 6-month to 3-year roadmaps tailored to business size. Final-year students can participate as “junior digital consultants,” gaining practical experience while supporting companies.International example: University of Vaasa (Finland) successfully implemented an ecosystem-based digitalization model for local SMEs, yielding mutual benefits.
3. Building Digital Capabilities
- Enterprise needs: The lack of skilled personnel is the most critical barrier. The Enterprise Development Agency (2023) reported that most SMEs lack adequately trained staff to implement digital solutions effectively. External expert services are often unaffordable.
- What universities can do: Design short-term, hands-on training courses using real company data and workflows—for example, training business owners in basic data analytics, marketing staff in digital campaign management, or accountants in data security. International example: IE University (Spain) and Banco Santander launched the “Digitaliza tu negocio” program, providing digital skills training to over 3,000 SMEs. Vietnamese universities can replicate this through short-term certificate programs and online training for broader reach.
4. Identifying Core Technologies
- Enterprise needs: Amid countless ERP, CRM, AI, and IoT solutions, many SMEs struggle to choose the right technology. Wrong decisions lead to wasted investment. Moreover, their infrastructure is often weak and lacks proper devices, software, or cybersecurity systems.
- What universities can do: IT or engineering schools can establish digital technology laboratories where businesses can test solutions before purchasing. Universities can also host technology showcase events featuring multiple vendors, acting as independent technology advisors. International example: The Hartree Centre (UK) partners with universities to let SMEs experiment with AI and supercomputing before making investment decisions.
5. Implementation and Execution
- Enterprise needs: During implementation, challenges arise not only in technology but also in change management: data cleanup, process adaptation, and employee resistance. SMEs often lack mentors to accompany them through the process.
- What universities can do: Deploy research teams, faculty, and students to accompany companies in pilot phases, acting as “light PMOs.” Universities can also establish co-living collaboration models where both sides share costs and co-develop technology applications. International example: Germany’s Mittelstand 4.0 program has proven effective by organizing workshops and coaching SMEs to apply agile and design thinking methods to reduce implementation risks.
6. Business Model Transformation and Operational Adjustment
- Enterprise needs: After applying technology, SMEs must adjust their business models and operations. This is the hardest step, involving organizational culture and long-term strategy. Most Vietnamese SMEs lack experience in using data-driven insights to adapt their models.
- What universities can do: Conduct local SME case studies, organize peer-learning sessions, and support data analysis on customer feedback to help companies refine products, sales channels, and pricing strategies. International example: Utrecht University (Netherlands) collaborated with consulting firms to digitally transform management and learner experience systems—proving that model transformation must be data-driven.
Surveys in Vietnam show that SMEs face major obstacles: high investment costs, shortage of skilled personnel, reluctance to change, weak infrastructure, and lack of clear strategies. In this context, universities have the potential to become strategic pillars—training digital talent, providing applicable knowledge, connecting businesses with technology, and accompanying them throughout the digital transformation journey.
If leveraged effectively, Vietnamese universities can go beyond teaching students to become digital transformation hubs for SMEs, directly contributing to the sustainable development of the national digital economy.
Summary Table
|
Digital Transformation Step (Hồ Tú Bảo) |
Vietnamese SME Needs |
What Vietnamese Universities Can Do |
International Example |
|
1. Awareness & Mindset |
Unclear about DX; 69% using only email/accounting tools |
Organize mindset-opening workshops; create readiness assessment tools; publish trend reports |
European universities’ Digital Maturity Tools |
|
2. Roadmap Definition |
Only 7.6% have formal plans; many abandon efforts |
Develop readiness frameworks; offer roadmap consulting; involve student consultants |
University of Vaasa (Finland) ecosystem-based model |
|
3. Capability Building |
Lack of digital workforce; high training costs |
Short-term practical courses; “learn by doing” projects; student-SME support bank |
IE University (Spain) & Banco Santander – “Digitaliza tu negocio” |
|
4. Core Technology Selection |
Hard to choose solutions; weak infrastructure |
Build digital labs; host technology showcases; act as neutral advisors |
Hartree Centre (UK) AI & HPC testing |
|
5. Implementation |
Lack of mentors; employee resistance; messy data |
Faculty-student support teams; co-living collaboration models; mentor programs |
Mittelstand 4.0 (Germany) agile workshops |
|
6. Business Model Change |
Hard to shift culture; lack of data-driven decisions |
Conduct local case studies; analyze customer data; foster innovation networks |
Utrecht University (Netherlands) management digitalization |
© Copyright KisStartup. Developed within the IDAP Project – Strengthening an Inclusive Digital Transformation Ecosystem. Any reproduction, quotation, or reuse must cite the source: KisStartup/IDAP.
Source: https://qnu.edu.vn/vi/hoi-nghi-hoi-thao/bai-noi-chuyen-dai-chung-chuyen-...
