In response to the Business and Trade Committee Inquiry into the government’s Small Business Strategy, Brunel academics submitted evidence relating to key issues that should be addressed through this strategy, listening to the voices of small businesses and adoption of new technologies by SMEs.
Dr S. Asieh H. Tabaghdehi and Prof Ashley Braganza responded to questions (1) What key issues should be addressed through the small business strategy? And (2) How can policymakers ensure that the voice of small businesses is heard in government? They made the key points:
- The small business strategy should address critical gaps in SMEs' ability to engage with digital and AI technologies responsibly, with a specific focus on ethical readiness, capability building, and inclusive innovation.
- Tailored and practical support mechanisms such as responsible AI toolkits and embedded ethical innovation in business support schemes that are essential to help SMEs make confident and safe use of emerging technologies.
- Policymakers should create inclusive and co-produced engagement ecosystems, ensuring the voices of underrepresented SMEs are reflected in national decisionmaking through grassroots consultation, digital platforms, and regional peer networks.
See their full evidence submission here
The evidence above was cited in the committee's report on Small Business Strategy, drawing on thier recommendation for a place-based approach (page 29, paragraph 84)
Dr S. Asieh H. Tabaghdehi made a separate evidence submission responding to the question: How effectively are productivity-enhancing practices, such as new technologies, being shared and adopted among SMEs? Is the Innovate UK Catapult Network meeting the needs of small businesses? In her evidence, she proposed that to foster responsible, inclusive, and widespread adoption of productivity-enhancing technologies, the government should implement the following measures to complement market solutions and address specific SME needs:
- Develop an integrated Smart Data and AI Governance Framework
- Deliver practical capacity-building and accessible toolkits
- Facilitate smart data collaboration between universities and SMEs
- Establish a National SME digital hub for peer mentorship and knowledge sharing
- Localise and expand the Innovate UK Catapult Network’s SME engagement
- Align UK standards with International best practices
- See their full evidence submission here
See her full evidence submission here