Europe 4.0: addressing the digital dilemma

Format:

Corporate Author:

World Bank

Author:

Mary Hallward-Driemeier

Publisher:

World Bank

Europe 4.0 (2020) differentiates across types of data-driven technologies to provide more nuanced insights into where technologies are contributing to the goals of inclusion and convergence, and where tensions are emerging with efforts to increase competitiveness. The emphasis is on expanding firms' access to new opportunities,including young and small firms, firms in lagging regions, and firms in new accessing countries. The potential for inclusion and convergence differs across types of digital technologies. Europe faces a dilemma as the technologies in which it is most competitive are those that concentrate benefits among larger firms and in established hubs, while those technologies with the greatest potential to contribute to inclusion and convergence are those where European firms are least competitive. However, it also argues that with the right mix of policies, a dynamic and inclusive digitally enabled future is possible; Europe can attain Europe 4.0