SMEs in the Digital Era

Opportunities and Challenges of the Digital Single Market

Edited by Emanuela Carbonara, Professor of Economic Policy, Department of Sociology and Business Law, University of Bologna and Adjunct Professor of International Economics, Johns Hopkins University SAIS Europe, Bologna, Italy and Maria Rita Tagliaventi, Professor of Organizational Sociology, Department of Sociology and Business Law, University of Bologna, Italy

With an interdisciplinary approach this book elaborates and discusses the strategic, regulatory and economic scenario that the sponsorship of a European Digital Single Market has been generating for small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs).

‘The necessary digitalization of small- and medium-sized companies in the single digital market of the EU leads them into a risky and disruptive interaction with the internet giants and widens the wage gap between the high and the low skilled. This highly recommended and pioneering book provides comprehensive insights into these and related issues, and the legal and economic policy responses in the European Union.’
– Hans-Bernd Schäfer, Bucerius Law School, Germany

‘The digital revolution is transforming economic and social relationships at a furious pace, creating exciting new opportunities but, of course, ubiquitous challenges. The potential for SMEs to be a vibrant source of growth and innovation is clear, and yet they are ostensibly falling short in the process. This excellent book offers insights as to the impact of the digital revolution on SMEs as well as means for them to discover their potential in a truly integrated European economy.’
– Michael G. Plummer, Johns Hopkins University SAIS Europe, Italy