Despite potentially tremendous benefits, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
lag in the digital transformation. Emerging technologies, as diverse as they are,
offer a range of applications for them to improve performance and overcome the size-related
limitations they face in doing business. However, SMEs must be better prepared, and
stakes are high. SMEs make the most of the industrial fabric in many countries and
regions, they create jobs (most jobs sometimes) and are the cement of inclusive and
sustainable societies. The SME digital gap has increased inequalities among people,
places and firms, and there are concerns that the benefits of the digital transformation
could accrue to early adopters, further broadening these inequalities. Enabling SME
digitalisation has become a top policy priority in OECD countries and beyond. The
report looks at recent trends in SME digital uptake, including in the context of the
COVID-19 crisis. It focuses on issues related to digital security, online platforms,
blockchain ecosystems, and artificial intelligence. The report identifies opportunities,
risks of not going digital, and barriers to adoption. It looks to concrete policy
action taken worldwide to speed the SME transformation and raises a series of considerations
to advance the SME digital policy agenda.
Published on February 03, 2021
In series:OECD Studies on SMEs and Entrepreneurshipview more titles
Webinar: "Meet the Author": Digital Transformation of SMEs
Feb 2020 11.00 AM - 12.00 PM
The OECD report “The Digital Transformation of SMEs” was lauched on 4 February 2021 at a special "Meet the author" event, held back-to-back with the 2nd D4SME Roundtable. Prepared under the aegis of the OECD Working Party on SMEs and Entrepreneurship (WPSMEE), the report illustrates recent trends in SME digital uptake, discusses about digital security, online platforms, blockchain ecosystems, and artificial intelligence, presents policy experiences and raises considerations to advance the SME digital policy agenda