Defining ‘Smart Rural’ in the Framework of Regional Digitalisation

Abstract

In this paper, we explored how a smart development framework could be harnessed for enhancing small and medium enterprise (SME) activities in rural communities. With this aim, this study considered and compared the landscape of the SME ecosystems in Ghana and Finland. Alongside the deprived countryside or remote work context, it has become clear that contemporary digital platforms and collaborative media represent an integral part of smart development. In addition, remote working possibilities help tackle challenging times or even a state of emergency, such as the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. We created our Smart rural development model (SRDm) to facilitate the digital transformation of SMEs and strategies in peripheral settings. Our SRDm was developed from the exploration of smart development literature in regional settings, and filtering numerous initiatives utilutilizedhin digitalization SME development context. The key target groups who can benefit from our research endeavor are the various strategic development organizations, financing authorities, and of course regional stakeholders, policymakers, business clusters, SMEs, and individuals.