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DIGITALISATION AND BUSINESS TRANSFERS IN NORTHERN SMES

The vitality of Northern Finland rests to a large extent on small and medium-sized enterprises. Their ability to renew themselves, make use of digitalisation and pass in a controlled manner to new owners largely determines whether jobs, services and expertise will remain in the region in the future. The rapid progress of digitalisation and the ageing of the entrepreneur population therefore raise a topical question: how well prepared are businesses in the region to face the changes ahead? This report is part of the BOCOD – Boosting Continuity and Digitalisation of Rural Region Businesses project, which supports small and micro-enterprises in rural and sparsely populated areas of Finland, Ireland and Iceland in strengthening business continuity and facilitating business transfers. This report provides a regional baseline of digitalisation, business transfer prospects and related support needs among SMEs in North Ostrobothnia and Lapland. The survey was conducted in February March 2026.