SMEs in the digital era: opportunities and challenges of the digital single market, by Emanuela Carbonara, Maria Rita Tagliaventi, Eds., 2023

Abstract

The book ‘SMEs in the Digital Era: Opportunities and Challenges of the Digital Single Market’, edited by Emanuela Carbonara and Maria Rita Tagliaventi, offers a thorough exploration of the current digital transition affecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe. Drawing from organizational, economic, and legal perspectives, the volume brings together a range of contributions that examine how SMEs are adapting to digital technologies and what structural barriers still hinder this transformation. The topics covered include the benefits and impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital platforms, alternative financing mechanisms such as crowdfunding, the role of digital technologies in supporting the growth of female entrepreneurship, and the evolving influence of European regulations on business practices and logistics systems. Particular attention is given to issues such as limited access to resources, gaps in digital skills, and the challenges of scaling innovation across borders. The combination of theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence results in a set of concrete suggestions that can help guide both policy development and business decision-making. This makes the book a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working on the digital transformation of SMEs.