Trade Industry "Digital Transformation Difficult Due to Lack of Technology, Information, and Skilled Personnel"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jin-ho] While the domestic trade industry holds high expectations for strengthening competitiveness through digital transformation, the actual pace of digital transformation in companies falls short of these expectations.

The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) announced on the 7th that, according to a survey conducted in March targeting 831 domestic trade companies on the 'status of digital transformation,' 49.5% of the responding companies evaluated that 'the current pace of their digital transformation is slow.'

On the other hand, 68.4% responded that 'digital transformation will be advantageous for strengthening competitiveness in the future,' revealing a significant gap between the expectations for digital transformation and the reality in the field. Regarding the positive effects of digital transformation, companies showed high expectations in areas such as 'improvement of product and service quality' (75.5%), 'pioneering new markets' (74.8%), 'work efficiency' (73.8%), 'real-time information sharing' (67.5%), and 'productivity improvement' (66.3%).

The biggest difficulty experienced during the digital transformation process was cited as 'lack of related technology and information' (52.5%). Company A, which manufactures and exports medical devices, suggested that small and medium-sized enterprises with limited financial resources feel overwhelmed about where to start and emphasized the need for expert diagnosis and advice at each stage of digital transformation.

Many companies also complained about 'difficulty in securing professional personnel' (47.6%) and 'lack of employees' understanding and utilization capabilities of digital transformation' (36.7%). Additionally, some companies expressed concerns that falling behind digital transformation trends could weaken their competitiveness.

Jang Seok-min, Head of the Digital Innovation Division at KITA, stated, "Based on the survey results, the association will operate education and consulting programs tailored to the digital transformation progress and needs of individual companies," adding, "We will support the industry's digital transformation in various ways, such as sharing successful cases of digital transformation and providing collaboration opportunities with digital service providers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.