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The Digital Transformation of SMEs

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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.

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How can Blockchain ecosystems serve SMEs?

Blockchain applications for industrial use present distinct opportunities to SMEs. The chapter aims to identify potential benefits blockchain uptake could bring to SMEs as well as foreseeable challenges that could hinder small businesses from reaping the benefits of blockchain adoption. Findings from the OECD country cases studies on “Blockchain for SMEs and Entrepreneurs” in Israel and Italy provide an in-depth analysis of the characteristics and trends of country-specific blockchain ecosystems and industrial use cases. The chapter also provides an overview of blockchain-related policy and regulation trends as well as policy examples aimed at increasing awareness and supporting blockchain innovation activities beyond financial services.

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