INTERMEDIARIES BOOSTING THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF SMES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN ITALY AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
The article aims at investigating the role of entrepreneurial associations as intermediaries in supporting the digital transformation of small and medium-enterprises in Italy and the Russian Federation. The state-of-the-art is analyzed taking into account the level of digitalization of SMEs in both countries and the activities and features of the most relevant entrepreneurial associations in their role as intermediaries between private businesses and public rulers. The article adopts a comparative method based on the Italian and Russian experience: Confindustria and Confartigianato in Italy are considered in comparison to Opora in the Russian Federation. The findings of the research show high expectations on the role of entrepreneurial intermediaries in supporting the digital transformation of SMEs. Accordingly, directions for the further development of their role are drawn.