@article{ART003403089},
author={Ji-sang Lee and Hyun-Sik Hahm},
title={From Digital Transformation to AI Transformation: A Policy Support Framework for Expanding AX in SMEs},
journal={Industry Promotion Research},
issn={2466-1139},
year={2026},
volume={11},
number={4},
pages={187-198},
doi={10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.187}
TY - JOUR
AU - Ji-sang Lee
AU - Hyun-Sik Hahm
TI - From Digital Transformation to AI Transformation: A Policy Support Framework for Expanding AX in SMEs
JO - Industry Promotion Research
PY - 2026
VL - 11
IS - 4
PB - Industrial Promotion Institute
SP - 187
EP - 198
SN - 2466-1139
AB - This study diagnoses the digital transformation (DX) foundation and artificial intelligence transformation (AX) demand of Management Innovation-certified SMEs and proposes a policy support framework centered on Korea’s AI Basic Act. It combines an integrative analysis of SME AI-adoption studies and legal-policy materials with a secondary analysis of weighted aggregate data from 1,596 firms in the 2025 Main-Biz Detailed Survey. The survey shows that 33.7% of firms had neither adopted digital technologies nor planned to do so, while AI-based solutions accounted for 16.2% among firms adopting or considering digital technologies. Cost and shortages of skilled personnel were the main barriers, and awareness of public DX support programs scored 10.7 out of 100. The study proposes the five-stage SME AX Pathway covering diagnosis, capability and strategy, validation and adoption, internalization, and diffusion. Policy implications are to translate the AI Basic Act and SME-specific legislative proposals into field-level diagnosis, education, consulting, PoC, and post-adoption support, link AX with global expansion and workforce policies, and connect AX training under the regional talent-development system (Anchor, formerly RISE) to SME employment.
KW - AI Transformation (AX);Management Innovation-certified SMEs;AI Basic Act;Policy Support Framework;Regional Talent Development (formerly RISE);AX Readiness
DO - 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.187
ER -
Ji-sang Lee and Hyun-Sik Hahm. (2026). From Digital Transformation to AI Transformation: A Policy Support Framework for Expanding AX in SMEs. Industry Promotion Research, 11(4), 187-198.
Ji-sang Lee and Hyun-Sik Hahm. 2026, "From Digital Transformation to AI Transformation: A Policy Support Framework for Expanding AX in SMEs", Industry Promotion Research, vol.11, no.4 pp.187-198. Available from: doi:10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.187
Ji-sang Lee, Hyun-Sik Hahm "From Digital Transformation to AI Transformation: A Policy Support Framework for Expanding AX in SMEs" Industry Promotion Research 11.4 pp.187-198 (2026) : 187.
Ji-sang Lee, Hyun-Sik Hahm. From Digital Transformation to AI Transformation: A Policy Support Framework for Expanding AX in SMEs. 2026; 11(4), 187-198. Available from: doi:10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.187
Ji-sang Lee and Hyun-Sik Hahm. "From Digital Transformation to AI Transformation: A Policy Support Framework for Expanding AX in SMEs" Industry Promotion Research 11, no.4 (2026) : 187-198.doi: 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.187
Ji-sang Lee; Hyun-Sik Hahm. From Digital Transformation to AI Transformation: A Policy Support Framework for Expanding AX in SMEs. Industry Promotion Research, 11(4), 187-198. doi: 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.187
Ji-sang Lee; Hyun-Sik Hahm. From Digital Transformation to AI Transformation: A Policy Support Framework for Expanding AX in SMEs. Industry Promotion Research. 2026; 11(4) 187-198. doi: 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.187
Ji-sang Lee, Hyun-Sik Hahm. From Digital Transformation to AI Transformation: A Policy Support Framework for Expanding AX in SMEs. 2026; 11(4), 187-198. Available from: doi:10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.187
Ji-sang Lee and Hyun-Sik Hahm. "From Digital Transformation to AI Transformation: A Policy Support Framework for Expanding AX in SMEs" Industry Promotion Research 11, no.4 (2026) : 187-198.doi: 10.21186/IPR.2026.11.4.187
