The OECD published this policy paper entitled ‘SME Digitalisation with the objective of ‘Build Back Better’ – Digital Technologies for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (D4SME), which aims to improve understanding of how SMEs have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they have adapted to their new situation and how different elements of their ecosystems contribute to their digital transformation.
The first part of the document describes the digital transformation of SMEs by providing an overview of key trends in the uptake of digital technologies by SMEs in OECD countries. The second part of the paper focuses on some of the main trends emerging from the COVID-19 crisis. The third section discusses international practices in SME digitalisation policies and provides initial evidence from the ‘rescue’ and ‘recovery’ packages launched by OECD governments in the fight against the crisis.
The lack of digital skills is a challenge faced by most SMEs and is clearly becoming a key barrier to digitalisation. Enabling SMEs to externalise and have access to relevant digital skills and training within their local communities and ecosystems can help fill this digital skills gap. Many SMEs do not need advanced digital skills; however, they need to invest in in-house capabilities to understand emerging technologies and the benefits they can bring to their businesses. The COVID-19 recovery packages from OECD countries also put a strong emphasis on digital skills, upskilling and reskilling.
⚠ disclaimer: The text has been automatically translated from the European platform Digital Skills and Jobs. If you have found errors in the text, please contact digikoalice@npi.cz