This study aims to identify and explain different collaborative approaches, delineate external actors' roles, and examine the interplay between knowledge exploration and exploitation processes for digital transformation. We conducted a search of academic papers using research terms such as “Digital*, Digital transfor*, industry 4.0 (I4.0), industry 5.0, knowledge exploration, knowledge acquisition, ecosystem collaboration*, knowledge networks, and open innovation” in both the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Altogether, 108 papers met the criteria (e.g., ABS 2 & 2+ ranking of journals, only journal papers, and focusing on small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) digital transformation) for conducting a systematic literature review in this research. The results indicate that external actors play specific roles in supporting SMEs' digital transformation. We found that customers and suppliers push and encourage SMEs in their digital transformation, while coopetition can elicit greater technological benefits for SMEs with close technological and economic proximity. Intermediaries provide knowledge-brokering services, facilitate innovation processes, and enable technology transfer and capacity-building for SMEs’ digital transformation. Government initiatives, such as favorable policymaking and financial support, are important in promoting and facilitating a collaborative environment for technology development among SMEs. This study’s results present two distinct collaborative mechanisms that SMEs can utilize for digital transformation: (I) core value chain and network actors’ collaborations, which provide linear processes for knowledge exploration and exploitation, and (II) ecosystem and innovation platform-based collaborations, in which SMEs adopt the ambidextrous approach as a nonlinear process for knowledge exploration and exploitation for digital transformation. Certain organizational-level factors (organizational capabilities, micro-foundations, operational capabilities, organization strategies, and culture) are important for SMEs’ knowledge exploitation in digital transformation. The study also presents an integrated framework and offers directions for future research and important insights for practitioners.

中文翻译：

---

知识管理与中小企业数字化转型：系统文献综述与未来研究议程

本研究旨在识别和解释不同的协作方法，界定外部参与者的角色，并检查知识探索和数字化转型开发过程之间的相互作用。我们使用 Scopus 和 Web of Science 数据库中的“Digital*、Digital transfor*、工业 4.0 （I4.0）、工业 5.0、知识探索、知识获取、生态系统协作*、知识网络和开放式创新”等研究术语检索了学术论文。总共有 108 篇论文符合在这项研究中进行系统文献综述的标准（例如，ABS 2 & 2+期刊排名，仅期刊论文，并关注小型和中型企业（SMEs）的数字化转型。结果表明，外部行为者在支持中小企业的数字化转型方面发挥着特定的作用。我们发现，客户和供应商推动和鼓励中小企业进行数字化转型，而竞合可以为技术和经济接近的中小企业带来更大的技术利益。中介机构提供知识中介服务，促进创新流程，并为中小企业的数字化转型提供技术转让和能力建设。政府举措，例如有利的政策制定和财政支持，对于促进和促进中小企业之间的技术开发合作环境非常重要。 本研究的结果提出了中小企业可以用于数字化转型的两种不同的协作机制：（I） 核心价值链和网络参与者的协作，为知识探索和开发提供线性过程，以及 （II） 基于生态系统和创新平台的协作，其中中小企业采用双元方法作为非线性过程进行知识探索和开发以实现数字化转型。某些组织层面的因素（组织能力、微观基础、运营能力、组织战略和文化）对于中小企业在数字化转型中的知识开发非常重要。该研究还提出了一个综合框架，并为未来的研究提供了方向，并为从业者提供了重要的见解。