Challenges of Digitalisation for SMEs and Micro-enterprises. State of Play and Priorities

SMEs lag in the adoption of digital technologies. This picture also emerges for Austria. Technology-oriented indicators do not signal a general disadvantage in the adoption of digital technologies of Austrian SMEs. However, the start-up dynamics and the share of fast-growing companies lag behind the innovation leader countries. This is likely to affect indirectly the diffusion of digital technologies and business models. Austrian SMEs are aware of the importance of digitalisation; the most important challenges for SMEs are found in internal to the enterprises, in regulation, financing, digital infrastructure but above all in information and know-how deficits.