Navigating the New Normal: Digital Proximity and JIT in Small Business Transformation

The COVID-19 outbreak has significantly impacted supply chains across various sectors. However, the healthcare sector, including dental services, has seen increased demand. This study proposes digital proximity as a new strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage with their cust...

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Main Authors: Ramírez Martínez Lucía, Durazo-Watanabe Eduardo, Izquierdo Camacho Juan Carlos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: EDP Sciences 2025-01-01
Series:SHS Web of Conferences
Online Access:https://www.shs-conferences.org/articles/shsconf/pdf/2025/02/shsconf_conridit2025_03003.pdf
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author Ramírez Martínez Lucía
Durazo-Watanabe Eduardo
Izquierdo Camacho Juan Carlos
author_facet Ramírez Martínez Lucía
Durazo-Watanabe Eduardo
Izquierdo Camacho Juan Carlos
author_sort Ramírez Martínez Lucía
collection DOAJ
description The COVID-19 outbreak has significantly impacted supply chains across various sectors. However, the healthcare sector, including dental services, has seen increased demand. This study proposes digital proximity as a new strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage with their customers through digital channels. To implement this concept, the just-in-time methodology is recommended to optimize internal processes and compete with large e-commerce intermediaries. The key findings highlight a rise in demand for dental health services, particularly in dentistry, despite border closures. The United States remains the primary supplier of materials for the sector, underscoring limitations in the development of the local supply chain, which can be attributed to a lack of understanding of dental service providers’ needs. This study suggests digital proximity and just-in-time methodology as crucial strategies for SMEs to grow competitively at the regional level by fostering closer customer relationships, enabling faster adaptation to market needs, and improving process efficiency. In conclusion, these tools are essential for SME development in the dental service sector and their regional market expansion.
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institution DOAJ
issn 2261-2424
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-bc93399dedbb44b09ab83b03728dcf152025-08-20T03:02:10ZengEDP SciencesSHS Web of Conferences2261-24242025-01-012110300310.1051/shsconf/202521103003shsconf_conridit2025_03003Navigating the New Normal: Digital Proximity and JIT in Small Business TransformationRamírez Martínez Lucía0Durazo-Watanabe Eduardo1Izquierdo Camacho Juan Carlos2CETYS UniversidadCETYS UniversidadUniversidad HemisferiosThe COVID-19 outbreak has significantly impacted supply chains across various sectors. However, the healthcare sector, including dental services, has seen increased demand. This study proposes digital proximity as a new strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to engage with their customers through digital channels. To implement this concept, the just-in-time methodology is recommended to optimize internal processes and compete with large e-commerce intermediaries. The key findings highlight a rise in demand for dental health services, particularly in dentistry, despite border closures. The United States remains the primary supplier of materials for the sector, underscoring limitations in the development of the local supply chain, which can be attributed to a lack of understanding of dental service providers’ needs. This study suggests digital proximity and just-in-time methodology as crucial strategies for SMEs to grow competitively at the regional level by fostering closer customer relationships, enabling faster adaptation to market needs, and improving process efficiency. In conclusion, these tools are essential for SME development in the dental service sector and their regional market expansion.https://www.shs-conferences.org/articles/shsconf/pdf/2025/02/shsconf_conridit2025_03003.pdf
spellingShingle Ramírez Martínez Lucía
Durazo-Watanabe Eduardo
Izquierdo Camacho Juan Carlos
Navigating the New Normal: Digital Proximity and JIT in Small Business Transformation
SHS Web of Conferences
title Navigating the New Normal: Digital Proximity and JIT in Small Business Transformation
title_full Navigating the New Normal: Digital Proximity and JIT in Small Business Transformation
title_fullStr Navigating the New Normal: Digital Proximity and JIT in Small Business Transformation
title_full_unstemmed Navigating the New Normal: Digital Proximity and JIT in Small Business Transformation
title_short Navigating the New Normal: Digital Proximity and JIT in Small Business Transformation
title_sort navigating the new normal digital proximity and jit in small business transformation
url https://www.shs-conferences.org/articles/shsconf/pdf/2025/02/shsconf_conridit2025_03003.pdf
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AT izquierdocamachojuancarlos navigatingthenewnormaldigitalproximityandjitinsmallbusinesstransformation