Digitalisation and the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Visegrad Group (V4) cohesion regions: a comparative desk analysis of cohesion policy and non-infrastructural barriers.

Aim: A thematic synthesis enabling a qualitative comparison of cohesion policy and identifying non-infrastructural barriers affecting the development of digital entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) within Visegrad Group (V4) less-developed regions according to EU Cohesion Fund classification (called in the study “cohesion regions”). The aim was also to assess the effectiveness of national strategies in addressing significant shortfalls regarding human capital and e-government. Methods: The study relies on comparative desk research, employing thematic synthesis of qualitative research of the official EU and national reports from 2021 to 2025. The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) reports, national reports from 2001–2025 published in the EU series Digital Decade Country Report, and V4 national digital strategies have been analyzed to identify policy intentions and various performance gaps between policy goals and actual outcomes. Results: Findings suggest primary infrastructure access does not hinder V4 digital transformation, but ongoing systemic non-infrastructural barriers do. These include a skills mismatch, especially in Industry 4.0; border friction in e-government affecting digital services (scores below 40 in Poland and Hungary); and organizational conservatism, leading to low tech adoption among regional SMEs. This diminishes the likelihood of achieving the targeted convergence under the EU cohesion policy. Conclusions: The paper emphasizes a vital policy synchronization gap that hampers the V4’s effortsto build robust digital EE. Future policies from the country and the EU should go beyond just offering external infrastructure subsidies. Instead, they need to focus on systemic reforms, such as developing Industry 4.0 human capital and streamlining entrepreneurial e-governance. These measures will help break through institutional and organizational inertia in cohesion regions.