The main idea of the DIGIT-ME is to develop a new suitable and right approach to support and promote changes towards digital innovation in companies acting in manufacturing business sectors. The assumption made by the partners of the project is that there is a too small awareness of existing solutions (i.e. connected with The Industry 4.0 Internet of Thing, AI etc.) and technological possibilities among targeted entrepreneurs. This problem can be solved by applying an eye opening policy. Key benefit of the project is a new quality of digital innovation support approach.
Digital innovations specified by Industry 4.0 have overwhelming impact on EU position on the global markets. Improving regional economies based on different industries (including manufacturing) demands effective drivers to go for digital innovativeness effecting in increased capability which eventually leads to lower overall costs.
The effort of the EU to strengthen the competitiveness of European economy has two strong priorities - to build a greener and digital economy and thus to become a leader and a trend setter in digitalisation and sustainability. This creates a lot of opportunities for the most ambitious countries, regions, institutions and companies. On the other hand, it might create risks and challenges for those, which are more dependent on traditional industries, are still in the process of transformation, or which struggle with competitiveness.
From the perspective of macroeconomic concerns most of Central Europe countries stay below EU27 average of innovation, including digital innovations among manufacturing SMEs. According to the Summary Innovation Index (source: European Innovation Scoreboard 2021), which shows the results of the analysis of innovation performance in EU countries, the Partners of the Consortium, which come from Poland, Finland and Czechia, fall into different performance groups: Poland is Emerging Innovator (in 2020 – Moderate Innovator), Czechia is Moderate Innovator and Finland belongs to Innovation Leader. Index for Innovative SMEs cooperating with others is increasing and it is supported by increasing index for SMEs innovating in-house.
Objectives
The main project goal is: development through the lifetime of the project basing on the SMEs analysis and the evaluation of current tools and services, recommendations for improvement of digitalization support among SMEs and effective preparation for Industry 4.0. The recommendations will concern policy makers and specialized business support organizations in order to better preparation for digital Europe challenges.
Specific objective 1: Rising the knowledge about current state of policies and services focusing on digitalization of SMEs present in countries and regions of Partners’ origin.
Specific objective 2: Rising the awareness and knowledge about selected (at least 15) manufacturing SMEs needs in the field of digital innovation leading to better answering the challenges of Industry 4.0 implementation by creating the digital innovation support map and support programme.
Specific objective 3: Exchange of experiences and knowledge regarding means of digital innovation support applied by each Partner and development of new solutions and approach
Specific objective 4: Dissemination of gained knowledge among policy makers and other business supporting institutions.
