Among corporate IT solutions, integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems are the most widespread in Hungary. However, even these are fully utilised by only one in five companies. Dedicated AI applications have been adopted by 13% of businesses, according to this year’s Hungarian Competitiveness Report from Corvinus University of Budapest. 

Do Hungarian companies see IT as a competitive advantage or primarily as a cost factor? What technologies are used most widely? Which operational areas are most often digitalised? These are just some of the questions answered by the latest report based on a long-running research programme by the Competitiveness Research Centre at Corvinus University, drawing on responses from more than 330 company executives. 

The majority of respondents (41.8%) believe IT is essential for staying in the market. A quarter see it mainly as a significant cost factor, while a fifth consider it a source of competitive advantage. 

“Compared to 2019, more companies now believe IT can give them an edge, but the share of those who value it more for its cost implications than its competitive potential has also increased,” said Péter Móricz, Associate Professor at Corvinus University and one of the authors of the report. 

When it comes to digital strategies and how well-prepared companies feel, around two-thirds believe they are at least somewhat ready. Still, only half are willing to take risks with innovative digital solutions. Just one in five companies believes it has sufficient financial resources for digitalisation, and only about one in seven or eight has a clear and coherent digital strategy. 

Half of Companies Use AI in Some Form 

ERP and CRM remain the most commonly used IT solutions, but only 20% of companies say they are fully integrated into their operations. One in eight businesses doesn’t use such systems at all. Business intelligence tools and social platforms are fully used by around one in six and one in seven companies, respectively. Chatbots are the least utilised: only 3% of companies take full advantage of their benefits. 

Targeted AI applications—such as ChatGPT or WatsonX—have been formally adopted by 13% of companies. However, nearly half said they use AI in some way, whether through standalone tools, AI capabilities embedded in other software, or with the help of external partners. 

About half of the companies surveyed feel their level of digitalisation is on par with their competitors. Firms tend to consider themselves strongest in areas such as logistics, supplier networks, and customer relationships—the latter being a key differentiator between less competitive and highly competitive businesses. Companies that consider themselves more competitive consistently rate their digital capabilities above average across the board. 

The full Competitiveness Report is available (in Hungarian, with an English summary) on the Corvinus University website.