The regional consequences of new digital infrastructure: can Welsh SMEs gain an edge from access and adoption of superfast broadband?

Henderson, Dylan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1466-1315, Munday, Maxim ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9067-2481 and Roberts, Annette ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6617-7808 2021. The regional consequences of new digital infrastructure: can Welsh SMEs gain an edge from access and adoption of superfast broadband? National Institute Economic Review 255 , pp. 42-55. 10.1017/nie.2020.48

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Abstract

Across the United Kingdom public (and private) resources have been targeted on improving broadband infrastructure. While this has served to provide new opportunities for households and firms, there has been some debate around the ability of firms to take full advantage of the opportunities that arise through this evolving infrastructure. In this respect, there has been particular debate on how far small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have taken up the challenge of effectively engaging with the resource. Drawing on the case of Wales, this paper explores the digital maturity of a sample of Welsh SMEs. The paper provides evidence of how far SMEs are successfully engaging with the new opportunities available through broadband, and develops a typology of firms according to their engagement. The paper then explores how these differences produce policy implications.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Business (Including Economics)
Additional Information:	This article has been accepted for publication in the National Institute Economic Review. Uploaded in accordance with Sherpa/Romeo policy 2/12/20
Publisher:	SAGE
ISSN:	0027-9501
Funders:	Welsh Giovernment/ERDF
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	1 December 2020
Date of Acceptance:	18 November 2020
Last Modified:	13 Nov 2024 18:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/136713

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