Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the global and European economy. This book offers readers an enhanced theoretical overview of key features of SMEs to help economists and policymakers address emerging challenges within policy frameworks. The book considers the latest trends and provides holistic perspectives on recent evidence in the performance and economic growth challenges of SMEs. It also highlights the business environment and landscape in Europe today. Chapters explore aspects regarding the policy implications, while reflecting on the underlying issues SMEs have when it comes to their access to finance, technology, innovation, green and digital transition, internationalization, and growth.

Provides an evidence-based analysis on the policies enhancing the growth of SMEs in Europe Highlights key technologies to enhance the economic performance of SMEs Explores funding instruments, innovation and technology, digital and green transition, and internationalization

Autorentext

Valia Aranitou is Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where she teaches Economic Sociology. She is the Director of the Research Institute of Commerce and SMEs, which is part of the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship. She is the author of several books and articles.

Manolis Manioudis is Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics, University of Patras, Greece. He is an economic analyst at the Hellenic Confederation of Commerce and Entrepreneurship, and he is an associate editor for Journal of the Knowledge Economy.

Antonios Angelakis is Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences, University of Crete, Rethymno, Crete, Greece. He is an external innovation expert at the Small Enterprises Institute (IME GSEVEE) of the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants. He is a member of the Regional Research and Innovation Council of the Region of Attica.

Inhalt

PART I. INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS: A GENERAL OVERVIEW.- Chapter 1. Introduction: SMEs and the changing business environment.- Chapter 2. The Role of SMEs within a turbulent economy and constantly changing business environment: Trends, Challenges, Patterns and Growth and Innovation Policies in Europe.- Chapter 3. SMEs and Large Enterprises: A Preliminary Comparative Analysis .- PART II. COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND SMES.- Chapter 4. Small Enterprises' Digital Competencies and Financial Performance.- Chapter 5. Skills' gap between the Eastern and South Eastern Europe with the Central and North European SMEs. The role of the financial, institutional and demographic context.- Chapter 6. Entrepreneurial Skills as a Factor of Growth and Resilience for SMEs in Knowledge-Intensive Industries.- PART III. INNOVATION AND SMES.- Chapter 7. Critical Success Factors for Open Innovation strategies in SMEs: Who or How?.- Chapter 8. Robust, Resilient and Remunerative (R3) SMEs Ecosystems in Quintuple Helix Context: Industry 5.0, Society 5.0 and AI Modalities Challenges and Opportunities for Theory, Policy and Practice.- Chapter 9. Intangible Investments and Firm Innovation Propensity: An Empirical Study in Seven European Countries.- PART IV. NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND SMES.- Chapter 10. Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Adoption: An Exploration of challenges and perceptions.- Chapter 11. Blockchain in SMEs: Technical Foundations and Applications.- Chapter 12. Managing Innovation and Digital Transformation in Greek SMEs: Facts and Trends.- Chapter 13. Regional Insights: Navigating Digital Maturity in SMEs A Case Study of Crete.- PART V. SMES AND ACCESS TO FUNDING.- Chapter 14. SMEs Financing: Current State of Play and a Glimpse into the Future.- Chapter 15. EU Funding Instruments for SMEs.- PART VI. INTERNATIONALISATION AND SMES.- Chapter 16. Internationalization Through Global Value Chains and Innovation: The Case of Greek SMEs.- Chapter 17. Internationalization of SMEs from a theoretical perspective: Challenges, Strategies and Implications.- PART VI. PAST, CURRENT AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES ON SMES.- Chapter 18. The Contribution of SMEs towards sustainable development: The European Union's approach and policy.- Chapter 19. The COVID Crisis impact on responsible business performance in G7 countries: Empirical Evidence.- Chapter 20. Empowering SMEs: The role of foresight in influencing the future dynamics of European Economies and Societies.- Chapter 21. Challenges posed by the growing economic impact of space SMEs for International Space Law.- Chapter 22. Business history and SMEs: Insights from the evolution of the business environment in 19th century Greece.