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they are very heterogeneous in terms of employment sector, management
processes, and outputs (Breakwell & Petts, 2001).
Table 2.1. Employment and workplace size in selected European countries,
from ( Walters, 1996)
Country
SMEs % of
enterprises
9
SMEs % of
workforce
Definition of SME
Belgium 97% 40% < 50 staff
Finland 99% 45% < 100 staff
France 97% 53% < 50 staff
Greece 99.5% 74% < 50 staff
Ireland 97% 50% < 50 staff (in private sector)
Netherlands 98% ? < 100 staff
Portugal 98% 51% < 100 staff
Spain 92% 80% ?
Sweden 97.5% 30% < 50 staff
United Kingdom 96% 50% < 100 staff
In general they struggle to recognise and interpret relevant regulations
(Borley, 1997, Vassie, Tomas, & Oliver, 2000). They are also wary of
interaction with regulatory bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive
(Borley, 1997). Employees of SME often have low collective power and little
or no union representation ( Walters, 2001). The likelihood of inspection by
the regulator is low and many SME workers realise this (Walters, 2001).
Independent review of health and safety within SMEs indicates relatively
poorer standards than large enterprises.
The SME has been prioritised as an area of concern by the Health and Safety
Commission (Health and Safety Commission/HSC, 1998). Previously
examined SMEs (British Chamber of Commerce, 1995) have been seen to