This report was produced by the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities (CFE) led by Lamia Kamal-Chaoui and as part of the programme of work of the OECD Working Party on SMEs and Entrepreneurship (WPSMEE).
The report was co-ordinated and co-authored by Sandrine Kergroach (Head of SME and Entrepreneurship Performance, Policies and Mainstreaming Unit) under the supervision of Céline Kauffmann and Lucia Cusmano, respectively Head and Deputy Head of the SME and Entrepreneurship Division.
Chapter 1, “Digital access and uptake by SMEs”, received input and research support from Julien Salin (CFE).
Chapter 2, “Digital security in SMEs” was prepared by Benjamin Dean (Catastrophe Research Lead, Hiscox). Key findings were discussed at an expert webinar organised on 29 October 2020 in the framework of the OECD-Business at OECD Global “Digital for SMEs” initiative (D4SME), and by the OECD Working Party on Security in the Digital Economy. Thanks to Laurent Bernat of the OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for his comments.
Chapter 3, “Digital platforms for SMEs” was prepared by Marco Bianchini (CFE). Thanks to Jeremy West (STI) and Mauro Pisu of the OECD Economics Department (ECO) for their comments.
Chapter 4, “Blockchain ecosystems for SMEs” was prepared by Marco Bianchini and Insung Kwon with guidance from Lucia Cusmano (CFE). Key findings and case studies were discussed with national authorities in Israel (June 2019) and Italy (December 2019). Thanks to Caroline Malcom, Head of the OECD Blockchain Centre, Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs (DAF), for her feedback along the project.
Chapter 5, “Artificial intelligence: changing landscape for SMEs”, was prepared by Insung Kwon (CFE). Thanks to Laura Galindo, Nobuhisa Nishigata, Alistair Nolan and Karine Perset of the OECD AI.Policy Observatory (STI) and Mattia Corbetta (CFE) for their comments.
Chapter 6, “National AI Policies: what about diffusion?” was prepared by Jules Beley with research input from Thanh Tran (CFE). Key findings were discussed with the Working Group on National AI Policies (PAI) of the OECD Network of Experts on AI. Thanks to Andres Barreneche and Michael Keenan (STI) for their comments on the use of the EC/OECD STI Policy Compass. Thanks to Laura Galindo, Nobuhisa Nishigata, Alistair Nolan and Karine Perset of the OECD AI.Policy Observatory (STI), and Mattia Corbetta (CFE) for their comments on the chapter. Thanks to Samuel Pinto-Ribeiro of the OECD Statistics and Data Directorate (SDD) for his guidance on data engineering.
Marco Bianchini (CFE) co-ordinated the D4SME network and related events in support of international policy dialogue and knowledge sharing. Thanks to Madison Lucas (CFE) for animating the D4SME network, developing the D4SME databank of SMEs, and providing research assistance to the whole report.
Colleagues from the CFE also provided valuable input and feedback to the various chapters. Thanks go to Lucia Cusmano and Stephan Raes.
Finally, François Iglesias designed the cover and, Pilar Philip served as co-ordinator of the publication process. Heather Mortimer-Charoy provided project and secretariat assistance (all CFE).