THE REGIONAL CONSEQUENCES OF NEW DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE: CAN WELSH SMES GAIN AN EDGE FROM ACCESS AND ADOPTION OF SUPERFAST BROADBAND?. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Henderson, Dylan; Munday, Max; Roberts, Annette
• Is Part Of: National Institute economic review. Volume 255:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 55
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: broadband infrastructure, -- SMEs, -- digital maturity, -- regional development; O18, -- O33, -- R11; Economic history -- 1945- -- Periodicals; Economics -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Great Britain -- Economic conditions -- 1945-1964 -- Periodicals; 330.941
• DOI: 10.1017/nie.2020.48
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0027-9501

Abstract

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.