Digitalisation in Austria: State of Play and Reform Needs

Abstract

The report provides an overview and an analysis of the state of digitalization in Austria’s economy. The findings are mixed. Austria performs well in the manufacturing industries but is lagging in the service sector compared to the innovation leader countries of the “European Innovation Scoreboard”. The diffusion gap goes hand in hand with low adoption rates in microenterprises, SMEs and is reinforced by modest industrial dynamics in Austria. Reform needs arise regarding the promotion if ICT skills and competences of the workforce. The policy framework is currently in a phase of re-organization.

Keywords: digitalisation, innovation, ICT, Austria, tasks, skills, SME, adoption, patents, policy

JEL Classification: O14, O31, O33, O38, J24, J23, L50, L88