Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the Austrian economy. They therefore play a central role in the innovation and competitiveness of the country. The present study provides an overview of the innovation performance and innovation behaviour of SMEs as well as of the conditions and barriers to innovation in these enterprises. Particular attention is paid to digitization as a driver of innovation.

The study was commissioned by ACR - Austrian Cooperative Research and supported by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW).