Digital Readiness and Business Engagement in Smart City Co-Creation: Insights from Poland’s West Pomeranian Region
Purpose: The paper aims to examine the relationship between firms’ digital readiness and their involvement in Smart City co-creation within the West Pomeranian region in Poland. It addresses a research gap concerning the limited empirical studies that link companies’ digital maturity with their participation in collaborative innovation processes in urban areas environments. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study uses a quantitative research design based on CATI and CAWI surveys conducted among firms operating in two major cities of the Polish region – Szczecin and Koszalin. The data were analysed using non-parametric statistical tests, including chi-square tests of independence and reliability analysis (Cronbach’s Alpha). Findings: The results show that firms’ involvement in Smart City co-creation is partly linked to the use of specific digital tools, especially security applications and smart meters, indicating that greater digital readiness may enable more active collaboration with municipal stakeholders. The findings also highlight differences between companies in their levels of digital adoption across various areas of smart city infrastructure. Practical implications: The study emphasises the importance of improving firms’ digital competencies to strengthen their role as active co-creators of urban innovation. The results may guide policymakers and local authorities in developing strategies that encourage business participation in smart city ecosystems. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the literature on Smart City and public management by providing new empirical evidence on the relationship between digital readiness and business co-creation in regional development. It also highlights a lack of validated measurement tools to systematically evaluate this relationship, emphasising the need for further methodological progress.