OECD, BCG, INSEAD, 2025.

Artificial intelligence (AI) could help to address sluggish productivity growth in OECD countries. This book provides evidence for policymakers, business leaders, and researchers to help understand the adoption of AI in enterprises and the policies needed to enable this. The core analysis draws on a new policy-oriented survey of AI in enterprises across the Group of Seven (G7) countries and Brazil, complemented by interviews with business representatives. The book offers a comprehensive examination of barriers to the use of AI and examines actionable solutions, including in the areas of training and education, qualification frameworks, public-private research partnerships, and public data. Also examined is the work of public institutions that seek to facilitate the diffusion of digital technologies, including AI. Further, this book highlights the need for better policy evaluation, greater international comparability in surveys of AI, and studies of generative AI in business (widespread interest in which began after this survey).

Pissareva, L. et al., OECD Publishing, 2025.

SMEs and entrepreneurs heavily depend on skills to stay competitive and face greater challenges than larger firms in accessing and retaining skilled labour. Against the background of tight labour markets, skills gaps for SMEs are being exacerbated by the green and digital transitions. Rapid technological changes, notably the generative AI revolution, and the shift towards more sustainable business models are driving the demand for new, multidimensional skills-set. In this context, this paper takes an innovative approach to assess SMEs’ skills gaps, focusing on bundles of skills that encompass entrepreneurial, green, and digital dimensions. Additionally, building on the EC-OECD project “Unleashing SME Potential to Scale Up”, it provides insights from a mapping of 244 national policies and 132 institutions that facilitate access to skills for SMEs and entrepreneurs across the 38 OECD member countries.

OECD, 2025.

The OECD Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs Scoreboard: 2025 Highlights tracks financing trends, conditions and policy developments across nearly 50 countries. The paper provides official data on SME financing from 2007 to 2023, with additional insights for 2024 and early 2025, covering debt, equity, asset-based finance and overall financing conditions.

Bianchini, M. and M. Lasheras Sancho, OECD Publishing, 2025.

Digitalisation can unlock SME competitiveness, by helping SMEs access new markets and improve the efficiency of their operations. Understanding how SMEs derive value from digitalisation, as well as the barriers they face – whether in adopting new technologies or in adapting their business processes – is key to informing effective policymaking. This 2025 OECD D4SME Survey sheds light on both across ten OECD countries (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States) in collaboration with digital platform partners of the OECD D4SME Global Initiative. Building on insights from its 2024 edition, the 2025 OECD D4SME Survey provides an updated perspective on SMEs’ digital maturity and practices. It offers a focus on four of our key areas to enhance SME competitiveness through digitalisation: adoption of AI technologies (including generative AI), use of digital tools for sustainability, uptake of fintech solutions, and digital security practices to enhance resilience against cyber threats.

Carvajal, A.F., Didier, T., World Bank Group, 2024.

This report offers strategic and actionable guidance to policymakers in strengthening their access to finance policies for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This report emphasizes the need to improve the enabling environment for SME debt and equity financing. It outlines a roadmap of eight key actions to guide policymakers in achieving this. While such reforms are necessary, they are often insufficient to fully address SME financing constraints. Targeted financial programs thus remain essential to bridge the financing gaps effectively. This report outlines seven actions to improve the design and implementation of these interventions to maximize their impact and the effective use of public funding. This report also underscores the importance of a tailored approach to address the distinct challenges faced by specific SME segments, particularly those of women-owned (and led) SMEs, SMEs in agriculture, SMEs in fragile and conflict-affected states, and those seeking financing for climate change adaptation and mitigation.