ICT policies for SMEs and regional disparities. The Spanish case

The effective incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in business is not something that takes place homogeneously or always with the same speed, particularly in the case of small and medium-sized firms (SMEs). Obviously, the adaptation process of these technologies by the firms affects, and at the same time is conditioned by, the economic dynamics of the regions. The European Union and the national and regional governments have designed programmes and policies oriented towards strengthening the effective development and application of the ICT in small and medium-sized firms. This paper deals with these subjects taking the Spanish case as a point of reference. First, significant data are presented to show the situation in different regions. Second, a more detailed analysis is made of the promotion policies applied in three regions taken as a case study. From this, certain conclusions are drawn and some critical comments are made.