Business digitization in Slovakia and its impact on rural development

Abstract

In this article, we examined the position of Slovak agriculture and rural businesses using the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), which measures a country’s progress towards a digital economy and rural society in comparison to other EU countries. The Digital Economy and Society Index is an online tool for measuring the progress of EU Member States toward a digital economy and society, including rural areas. DESI combines 44 indicators (pillars) and uses a weighted criteria system to rank each country based on its digital performance. As a result, Slovakia lags the EU average in human capital, use of the Internet, and digital public services. Slovakia performs well in fast and ultra-fast broadband Internet coverage, the share of ICT professionals has increased and the number of people who have never used the Internet has decreased. Regional structures and concepts have become increasingly important in recent years, and an active and purposeful policy of integrated rural development is being developed. In strengthening regional functions, account must also be taken of the fact that farms should also be competitive on a supra-regional scale and should also contribute to improving the provision of modern rural infrastructure through their own digitalization.