Authors : Vo Thi Thu Hong; Nguyen Vu Hieu Trung; Nguyen Ha Kim Khanh

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 6 - June

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/mujkw6t2

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jun268

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : This study examines the multifaceted relationship between digital competency and job performance in the context of Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Amid accelerating digital transformation globally, organizations increasingly recognize digital capabilities as critical enablers of efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage. Drawing upon key theoretical frameworks such as the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and Human Capital Theory, this research identifies six dimensions of digital competency: Digital Knowledge, Digital Skills, Digital Attitude, Digital Communication, Technology Self-efficacy, and Organizational Support for Digitalization. Using a quantitative research design and data collected from 150 SME employees across diverse industries, the study applies reliability testing, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and multiple regression techniques. The empirical findings reveal that Digital Skills and Organizational Support have the most significant positive impact on job performance, while other factors contribute in varied degrees. The study enriches current academic discourse on digital capability frameworks and offers actionable implications for SME managers and policymakers in emerging markets. It highlights the urgent need for organizations to invest holistically in digital upskilling, institutional support systems, and employee adaptability to enhance workforce productivity in digitalized environments.

Keywords : Digital Competency, Job Performance, SMEs, Technology Self-efficacy, Organizational Support, Digital Transformation.

References :

1. Becker, G. S. (1964). Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis. University of Chicago Press.
2. Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and User Acceptance of Information Technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340.
3. European Commission. (2016). The Digital Competence Framework for Citizens – DigComp 2.0.
4. Venkatesh, V., et al. (2003). User Acceptance of Information Technology: Toward a Unified View. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478.
5. Van Laar, E., Van Deursen, A. J. A. M., Van Dijk, J. A. G. M., & de Haan, J. (2017). The relation between 21st-century skills and digital skills. Computers in Human Behavior, 72, 577–588.
6. Ilomäki, L., Paavola, S., Lakkala, M., & Kantosalo, A. (2016). Digital competence – an emergent boundary concept. Education and Information Technologies, 21(3), 655–679.
7. Tang, Y. M., et al. (2021). Comparative analysis of student and teacher digital competence. Education and Information Technologies, 26(6), 653–675.
8. Chuang, S.-P., Liu, C.-H., & Lin, T.-C. (2020). Enhancing organizational agility through e-learning capability and digital competence. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 33(7), 1217–1235.
9. Hämäläinen, R., et al. (2021). Digital problem-solving skills and job performance: A field study in Finnish industry. Computers in Human Behavior, 114, 106553.
10. Martin, A., & Grudziecki, J. (2006). DigEuLit: Concepts and tools for digital literacy development. Innovation in Teaching and Learning in Information and Computer Sciences, 5(4), 249–267.
11. Nguyen, T. H., & Hoang, L. T. (2021). Digital transformation readiness in Vietnamese public organizations. Journal of Asian Public Policy, 14(3), 408–426.
12. Tran, D. H., Nguyen, H. M., & Le, T. T. (2022). Digital skills and employability in Vietnamese universities. Vietnam Journal of Education, 6(2), 14–25.
13. VCCI. (2023). Digital Transformation in Vietnamese SMEs: Challenges and Directions. White Paper Series.