Vassilis Papadakis to 'N': The Survival Strategy of Greek Businesses in the Age of AI

In a period where the global economy is being rocked by geopolitical tensions, energy crises, and the onslaught of Artificial Intelligence, Vassilis Papadakis, Professor of Strategic Management at the Athens University of Economics and Business, intervenes via 'Naftemporiki' to sound the alarm and point the way forward. His central position is clear: Greek entrepreneurship can no longer rely on improvisation or simple crisis management. A radical shift toward strategic thinking and substantive innovation is required.

The Strategy Deficit and the Short-Term Trap

One of the most significant problems identified by Professor Papadakis is the obsession of Greek businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with short-term planning. In an environment of 'permacrisis,' the tendency to focus on 'extinguishing fires' is human, but business-wise, it is suicidal. Strategy is not a luxury for large multinationals; it is the roadmap for survival for any entity that wants to remain relevant five or ten years from now.

According to the professor, the lack of clear goals and the inability to anticipate trends make Greek companies vulnerable to exogenous changes.

"Strategy is not about what we will do tomorrow, but what we must do today to be ready for tomorrow,"

The Challenge of AI and Digital Transformation

The discussion about innovation in Greece is often limited to purchasing new software or having a presence on social networks. However, Mr. Papadakis emphasizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the rules of the game at the business model level. Greek businesses are called upon to integrate AI not as just another productivity tool, but as a catalyst for creating new value for the customer.

• Automation and Decision Making: The use of data for strategic decision-making remains at low levels in Greece.
• Product Personalization: AI allows small businesses to offer services that previously only giants could support.
• Upskilling: The biggest obstacle is not technology, but the culture and training of the staff.

The Greek market, although it has made strides, still lags in the adoption of advanced technologies compared to the European average. Innovation does not always require huge capital, but it does require an open mind and a willingness to experiment.

Geopolitical Instability and Resilience

Vassilis Papadakis does not fail to mention the international environment. Trade wars between the US and China, as well as instability in the wider Mediterranean region, directly affect supply chains and production costs. Greek businesses must build 'resilience.' This means diversifying suppliers, investing in energy autonomy, and flexibility in target markets.

Outward-looking orientation (extroversion) remains the great challenge. Despite the increase in exports in recent years, the number of businesses that export systematically remains limited. Innovation is the 'passport' to international markets. Without a differentiated product or service, a Greek business is forced to compete solely on cost, a battle that is difficult to win against countries with lower labor costs.

Conclusions and the Day After

Closing his analysis, Mr. Papadakis sends a message of optimism but also of responsibility. Greece possesses excellent human capital, which often excels abroad. The challenge is to create those conditions—at the management and state levels—that will allow this potential to innovate within the borders. Strategy is not a static process but a living organism that must constantly adapt. Businesses that dare to invest in the future, even amidst uncertainty, are the ones that will lead the next day of the Greek economy.