  Purpose: The new competitive environment characterized by innovation and
constant change is forcing a new organizational behavior. This requires a
digital transformation of SMEs based on collective performance determinants.
SMEs have particular characteristics that differentiate them from large
companies and a model that allows them to identify, leverage and develop their
digital capabilities can help them to advance in digital maturity.
  Design/methodology/approach: An in-depth review of the existing literature on
digital transformation and organizational competence was carried out on Scopus
and Web of Science to identify the digital challenges faced by SMEs, and what
digital capabilities they have to develop to face these challenges. In order to
obtain the necessary information for the refinement of organizational
competence for digital transformation model, six experts were interviewed;
three of them are academics and the other three are professionals with
management responsibilities in SMEs. We used semi-structured interviews, to
keep the interviews focused and facilitate cross-data analysis between experts.
In addition, it allowed us the possibility of analyzing new relevant aspects
that could arise during the interview.
  Findings: As a result of this study we have developed a refined model of
organizational competence for digital transformation that allows SMEs to
identify and develop the digital capabilities necessary to advance in the
digital transformation, refined with the opinions of six experts consulted. We
were able to observe the importance of organizational learning and
organizational knowledge to advance the digital transformation of SMEs.
