A recent study conducted by SD Worx, which specializes in automating HR processes, surveyed 5,625 HR managers and 16,000 employees across 16 European countries. The results reveal that the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector in Poland is setting the pace for digitization, highlighting a significant correlation between the presence of female leadership and the speed of technological transformation. In firms led by women, technology adoption is reportedly more rapid and assertive, suggesting a positive relationship between gender diversity in leadership and digital innovation.

The data from Poland underscores that by the third quarter of 2025, there were nearly 2.9 million active businesses in the country, with micro-enterprises employing up to nine people comprising a staggering 95.86% of this figure. The analysis shows that these smaller firms are increasingly turning to outsourcing payroll processes, with 7.5% of SMEs opting for these services, compared to a lesser uptake among larger companies. Interestingly, despite many firms still handling payroll internally, the trends suggest a gradual move towards automation, particularly influenced by women taking on leadership roles.

These findings have broader implications for how businesses approach digital transformation and the critical role of inclusivity in leadership. By encouraging female leadership, Polish SMEs may not only achieve more efficient business processes but also keep pace with competitive pressures in the European market. The study serves as a call to action for companies to assess their leadership structures and foster a culture that champions gender equality, seeing it as a strategic advantage in the realm of technology and business processes.