SMEs and Research - European Commission - Europa

There are several
reasons for this, including the
following:
•
•
•
•
They are better at anticipating emerging
technologies and markets
They have a more comprehensive understanding of what is
important
They are better suited to embracing longer-term perspectives
Their organisational structure is better suited to preparing and managing large
European projects
Without the contribution of the European Commission,
WITHOUT THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
WOULD ORGANISATIONS would organisations have…, HAVE…, by type (By type of reaction of reaction; (aggregated aggregated responses) responses)
Abandoned the project?
Implemented the project
with other source(s) of
funding?
Postponed the project?
Limited the scope of the
project?
Don't know
9%
20%
Note: Total number of respondents: 1169
16%
45%
45%
There is evidence to support the belief that Co-operative Research is more effective (in
terms of market share, profit and turnover), when such projects focus more on process
innovation rather than product innovation. Learned processes
can create lasting organisational changes that enhance an SME’s
ability to gain market share and increase turnover.
The study highlights an interesting insight, particularly for Co-
55%
49%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
operative projects, 92 i.e. that the failure to detect changes
in the market negatively impacted the socio-economic
performance of the project. In many cases the project
achieved (or exceeded) its technical objectives, only to
come up short with regard to the economic expectations.
Often competing technologies or market shifts were not
anticipated by project consortia, and consequently the
partners missed out on important opportunities that could
have been generated by the project. Also, several projects
22%
21%
74%
24%
Yes No No answer
31%
34%
34%
21%
9