This thesis studies the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in publicly funded research and development (R&D) projects. SMEs represent 99% of all companies in Europe and are important drivers of innovation, yet many lack the necessary resources to engage in formal research activities. Providing these firms with the possibility to make use of public funding programmes for R&D projects therefore constitutes a way of stimulating them to innovate. Reviews of such programmes, however, show that SME participation is frequently lower than desired by policy makers. This raises the question of the benefits SMEs can gain from such projects and the barriers that negatively influence their ability to participate. The author hypothesises that taking part in publicly funded R&D projects can positively influence an SME's competitiveness through a specific set of advantages gained from participation. The second hypothesis is that companies with previous experience in such projects evaluate their participation positively. Finally, the author puts forward that a number of specific barriers limit SMEs' ability to participate. The hypotheses were tested by means of an online survey among Swiss SMEs in the field of renewable energy, as well as interviews with representatives of national and EU funding bodies. The results support all three hypotheses and confirm the importance of the public measures. Participation in publicly funded R&D projects can indeed have positive impacts on an SME's competitiveness. Also, companies tend to evaluate their participation positively. SMEs with previous experience in such projects were well-informed about the specifics of a participation prior to filing an application, whereas a substantial lack of information exists on the part of companies without previous experience. This study adds to the existing pool of literature on SME competitiveness, and through its narrow focus addresses a very specific area where little research has been conducted to date. As such, the thesis is of relevance to the business, research, and political communities.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Review of selected theories on firm competitiveness
- 2.1 General aspects
- 2.2 Industrial organisation view
- 2.3 Resource-based view of the firm
- 2.4 Dynamic capabilities
- 2.5 Knowledge-based view of the firm
- 3 R&D funding in Switzerland
- 3.1 General aspects
- 3.1.1 Switzerland as a research location
- 3.1.2 Relevant Swiss research promoting institutions
- 3.1.3 SME specific issues
- 3.2 Funding programmes of the SFOE
- 3.2.1 Hydropower research
- 3.2.2 Biomass and Wood energy research
- 3.2.3 Photovoltaics research
- 3.2.4 Solar heat and heat storage research
- 3.2.5 Wind energy research
- 3.2.6 Heat pumping technologies, cogeneration, refrigeration research
- 3.2.7 Indirect support of geothermal energy
- 3.3 Funding by the CTI
- 3.3.1 R&D projects
- 3.3.2 The CTI "Innovationsscheck"
- 3.3.3 Feasibility studies
- 4 R&D funding at the European level
- 4.1 General aspects
- 4.1.1 Europe as a research location
- 4.1.2 Relevant EU research promoting instruments
- 4.1.3 SME specific issues
- 4.2 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development
- 4.2.1 FP7-Cooperation-ENERGY
- 4.2.2 FP7-Cooperation-ENVIRONMENT
- 4.2.3 FP7-Capacities-Research for the benefit of SMEs
- 4.3 EUREKA
- 4.4 EUREKA Eurostars
- 5 Potential benefits of and barriers to participation for SMEs
- 5.1 Benefits
- 5.1.1 Reduced time-to-market for a product
- 5.1.2 Outsourcing of R&D
- 5.1.3 Financing a demonstration or prototype project
- 5.1.4 Acquiring intellectual property rights
- 5.1.5 Accessing new technological know-how
- 5.1.6 Expanding the company network
- 5.1.7 Enhanced company reputation and visibility
- 5.1.8 Economic impacts
- 5.2 Barriers
- 6 Research methodology
- 6.1 Research questions and hypotheses
- 6.2 Quantitative research (company survey)
- 6.2.1 Sampling approach
- 6.2.2 Collaboration with external organisations
- 6.2.3 Questionnaire and survey implementation
- 6.3 Qualitative research (expert interviews with funding bodies)
- 6.4 Data analysis
- 7 Research findings
- 7.1 Response rate
- 7.2 Previous participation vs. non-participation
- 7.3 Companies with previous participation
- 7.3.1 Funding bodies used
- 7.3.2 Benefits gained from participation
- 7.3.3 Companies’ evaluation of their participation
- 7.4 Companies without previous participation
- 8 Discussion of research findings
- 8.1 Companies with previous participation
- 8.1.1 Funding bodies used
- 8.1.2 Benefits gained from participation
- 8.1.3 Companies’ evaluation of their participation
- 8.2 Companies without previous participation
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This thesis investigates the impact of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) participation in publicly funded research and development (R&D) projects on firm competitiveness. It explores the benefits SMEs gain and the barriers hindering their participation, focusing on Swiss SMEs in the renewable energy sector.
- Impact of publicly funded R&D participation on SME competitiveness.
- SMEs' evaluation of their participation in funding programs.
- Barriers to SME participation in publicly funded R&D projects.
- Analysis of Swiss and EU funding programs for renewable energy SMEs.
- Comparison of the perspectives of SMEs and funding bodies.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1: Introduction introduces the context of increasing global energy demand and the crucial role of SMEs in renewable energy innovation. It highlights the underutilization of SME potential due to resource constraints and poses the central research questions regarding benefits, evaluation, and barriers to participation in publicly funded R&D projects.
Chapter 2: Review of selected theories on firm competitiveness examines relevant theoretical frameworks, including the industrial organization view and resource-based view, emphasizing their relevance to understanding SME competitiveness and the role of R&D.
Chapter 3: R&D funding in Switzerland details Swiss R&D funding programs, focusing on the SFOE and CTI, outlining their goals, funded activities, and potential benefits for SMEs in renewable energy.
Chapter 4: R&D funding at the European level explores EU funding programs, particularly FP7, highlighting their structure, objectives, and SME-specific initiatives. It also discusses EUREKA and Eurostars programs.
Chapter 5: Potential benefits of and barriers to participation for SMEs summarizes potential benefits (reduced time-to-market, R&D outsourcing, access to know-how, networking, reputation enhancement) and barriers (lack of information, high costs) for SME participation.
Chapter 6: Research methodology describes the mixed-methods approach, including the online company survey and expert interviews with funding bodies. It outlines the sampling strategy, questionnaire design, and data analysis methods.
Chapter 7: Research findings presents the results of the survey and interviews, addressing the response rate, comparison of SMEs with and without prior participation, and their perspectives on benefits, evaluation, and barriers. This chapter focuses on descriptive statistics and preliminary findings.
Chapter 8: Discussion of research findings analyzes the results from the previous chapter, interpreting them in the light of the theoretical framework, and examining the implications for the hypotheses. This chapter provides a deeper interpretation of the statistical data presented in Chapter 7.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), renewable energy, research and development (R&D), firm competitiveness, public funding, innovation, Switzerland, European Union (EU), Framework Programme 7 (FP7), resource-based view, dynamic capabilities, knowledge-based view, barriers to participation, benefits of participation, online survey, expert interviews.
- Quote paper
- MSc, MA Manuel Kaar (Author), 2011, The Impact of Participation in Publicly Funded R&D Projects on Firm Competitiveness, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/186773
