Digitalization of small and medium sized sawmills in Austria: a survey about business processes

Abstract This study investigates the level of digitalization as well opportunities and challenges from perspective sawmill representatives. The business processes was assessed by a survey on criteria regarding processes. questions dealt with existence basic data processing, digitally networked information communication products services. Over 700 small medium sized sawmills were contacted e-mail or mail using enterprise directories. response 87 completed questionnaires analyzed means cluster analysis. companies divided into different groups based their similarity criteria. identified three clusters: first (n 1 = 35), “manual business”, did not reach stage digitalization. second 2 26), “automated has partially reached third 3 “solid developed” group, hardware software is available. increasing networking value chain, workplace future individualization customer requirements are perceived opportunities. main barriers protection security whereas cloud solutions considered biggest risk.