Digitalising Business Networks project

By project CDREUROPE

Published on 08 January 2025

Finland

Länsi-Suomi

About this good practice

The objectives of the project are
1. Raising SMEs' awareness of the digitalisation of their networks and opportunities to digitalise their business processes. Aim is to raise SMEs' awareness of the potential of digital platforms, present digital tools from a network perspective and develop their digital capabilities.
2. Justify, inform and motivate SMEs on the conditions, benefits, challenges and requirements for digitalisation of networks and business processes. Different digital platforms are key to the digitalisation of networks. Automated and integrated information transfer between companies has huge potential to make networks and companies more efficient, for example in the order-supply chain.
3. Come up with ideas and design the practical use of digital tools and platforms to develop the activities of SMEs and their networks. Develop the digitalisation of business networks in practice. SMEs will be supported to find digital solutions that are appropriate for them and their networks.

The project is divided into four work packages.
1. Review of a highly digitalised business network and formation of a roadmap.
2. Interactive workshops for SMEs to develop digitalisation
3. Creating a development plan for the digitalisation of supply chains for a pilot network.
4. An online test to assess the level of digitalisation of the network. The test will allow companies to independently assess the state of their network, receive feedback and identify clear areas for improvement.

Expert opinion

This initiative presents a strong, well-structured approach to accelerating SME digitalisation by combining awareness-building, hands-on workshops, and practical tools such as the digitalisation assessment test. Its emphasis on networked digitalisation is particularly valuable, as integrated digital ecosystems can enhance efficiency and competitiveness across entire supply chains. The involvement of universities ensures an evidence-based approach, while the potential for transferability, especially the assessment tool, makes it a scalable model for other regions.

Laura Varisco

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

Total budget of the project is 557 150 €. ERDF / ESF+ (2021-2027) is funding the two project partners, University of Vaasa and Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. The funds are divided: 249 480 € for the University of Vaasa and 196 240 € for Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences with .

Evidence of success

The project has enhanced the knowledge, skills, competences, and digitalisation of South Ostrobothnian businesses. Business networks have gained support for digitalisation, improving efficiency and freeing resources for long-term development. Companies have raised their digital level, reflected in SME barometers and surveys. This boosts competitiveness, creating regional wealth through jobs, services, and vitality, while advancing smart specialisation strategy goals.

Potential for learning or transfer

This projects is very much about the concrete measures to bring forward digitalisation of the SMEs in a way which makes it easy for them to gain more knowledge. Particularly potential is the "company's digitalisation assessment tool" created by the project where the digital skills of companies can be assessed. This tool could be be easily adjusted for other regions as well and could benefit companies all over Europe to analyse their level of digitalisation and their need for improvement.