Towards a digital economy in the European Union : the digital transformation in Sweden over the past decade

Abstract

This dissertation examines Sweden’s digital transformation during the period 2013-2023, contextualising it within the broader European Union (EU) path toward a digital economy. During this period, the EU has enacted ambitious strategies, for instance the Digital Single Market and the Digital Compass 2030, aimed at fostering competitiveness, innovation, and inclusivity. Sweden has consistently ranked among Europe’s digital frontrunners, partly as a result of its advanced infrastructure, innovation ecosystem, and digital literacy. The study addresses two research questions: (1) How has the ICT sector evolved in Sweden over the period 2013-2023, and what were the key factors behind this transformation? and (2) What are the key drivers and barriers in Sweden in adopting digital technologies, and how do these compare to those in other European countries? The research undertook a mixed-method approach using both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Also, it draws comparison with Denmark and the Netherlands to highlight both similarities and differences in their digital transformation trajectories. This study finds that Sweden’s progress has been shaped by decentralised governance, strong public–private collaboration, and proactive digital policies, while challenges remain in addressing regional disparities, inclusivity gaps, and emerging technologies readiness. Moreover, the findings show that while these countries adopted distinct approaches, they nonetheless share common drivers and face comparable barriers to digital adoption. The study contributes to understanding how national contexts shape digital transformation and offers insights for EU digital policy and governance.