Increasing the digital literacy skills of regional SMEs through high-speed broadband access

ABSTRACT

Universal challenges exist for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in regional and rural areas to utilize digital technologies for entrepreneurial advancement. Barriers include insufficient understanding of digital technologies and a lack of skills necessary for digital adoption. In Australia, training programs were introduced to enhance the digital uptake for the business and community sectors. Research was conducted to examine the impact on participants’ perceived digital literacy awareness and knowledge of online services, and their skills development. Survey data was collected from program participants (n = 101) comprising SMEs and not-for-profit organizations (NFP), and from program mentors/facilitators (n = 9). The findings show that training supports knowledge transfer, learning and skills development, fostering confidence about digital technologies. It is recommended that ongoing training is delivered regionally so that SMEs and NFPs can exploit digital innovations within their businesses and organizations.

KEYWORDS:

• Digital literacy
• Training
• Small-to-medium enterprises
• Not-for-profit organisations
• Regional

Acknowledgements

The research team wishes to acknowledge the support of Gerrie Carr-MacFie and thanks all participants who contributed insights that informed this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The DigiBiz project received funding from the Australian Government's Department of Communications and Arts under the Digital Enterprise program.