Competing in the Single Market - SMEs and ... - Erhvervsstyrelsen

SummaryIn line with their economic development, it can be said that the B4 countries have made significantprogress on institution-building and policymaking in support of SMEs over the last ten years. Eachof the B4 countries has both well-developed goals and programmes, and capable institutions forimplementation. The main concern is that these institutions are often acting on an independent path,rather than in a coordinated system. SME policies/actions are treated as independent variables, ratherthan as a part of the national innovation system.Policy mechanisms have focused primarily on improvements to the administration, legal andregulatory framework, and providing entrepreneurial/management training and consulting assistanceto SMEs. There have been relatively fewer actions in the areas of financing (e.g. venture/seed capital,investments for innovation/technology upgrading) and national/international network-building (e.g.public-private research collaboration, clustering).In addition, over-arching issues such as the organisation and evaluation of policymaking, and theoverall focus of policymaking, need to be addressed. The policy agenda for SMEs must be workedinto the wider context. In the next chapter, we address the general and specific challenges facing SMEsin the B4, and provide recommendations for addressing these challenges.80