The subject of the activity described in the report was to conduct market research in terms of readiness to implement, the level of knowledge and the use of new digital technologies (artificial intelligence – hereinafter AI, Internet of Things – hereinafter IoT and services provided as e-services) in small and medium-sized enterprises in Poland. The study was initiated in October 2022 and completed in March 2023 (the SME survey took place at the turn of February and March 2023).
The main objective of the study was to determine the level of digital maturity of Polish SMEs. In turn, the specific objectives involved determination of the current state of knowledge, barriers and assessment of the level of preparation for digital transformation of this group of enterprises as well as identification of directions for further development of this sector in the field of digital breakthrough technologies, such as IoT or AI.
The support of the Working Group for Artificial Intelligence and the Leader of the Subgroup for Research, Innovation and Implementations – Dr Dominika Kaczorowska-Spychalska, also proved invaluable:
The report we present to you does not exhaust the issues of research and expertise we have undertaken. This results from a large variety of issues describing the level of openness and readiness of the State Treasury companies for new digital technologies, as well as the huge dynamics of changes that are taking place in this area. However, undoubtedly it is an important element in the ongoing discussion on the path of the Polish economy towards the framework of global competition in the digital world. We hope that it will also become an inspiration for further studies and analyses on the role of digital technologies in this market sector.
The study shows, among other things, that investments in areas related to digital technologies are common among Polish companies from the SME sector but purchases in this area are limited to the purchase of basic equipment to help in the implementation of everyday tasks.
The use of artificial intelligence is not widespread in the SME sector – only 5.6% of companies use it, and only every tenth company plans to implement it within the next 3 years.
The Polish SME sector, on the other hand, commonly uses e-services, which is declared by as many as 67% of companies, and the next 7.6% plan to use them in the company within 3 years. Most often, e-services are used for communication between a given company and offices as well as a company and its external customers.
The lack of a diagnosed need in this area as well as financial issues constitute the main barriers that limit the implementation of digital solutions in the SME sector.
Source: gov.pl (in Polish)
Edit: Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz