The promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises in the EU

Term Paper , 2006 , 32 Pages , Grade: 1,0

Economics - International Economic Relations

This essay provides basic information on the way the EU tries to promote small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This policy field is very complex as SMEs are affected by Community legislation on a host of issues. As a result, over the years, the institutions of the EU introduced a kaleidoscope of programmes targeted at SMEs to enhance their situation on the market.

To examine the most important ones of these programmes, first and foremost, the promotion of SMEs will be integrated into the industrial policy of the EU: I will shed some light on the rationale for an industrial policy and the three different approaches to it. Furthermore, I will elaborate on the evolution of the industrial policy within the EU.
In the second part, I will have a closer look at SMEs in Europe, how they are defined and what their role is in the European economy.
After having given this background information, I will examine how the EU promotes SMEs. First of all, I will dwell on the European Charter for Small Enterprises followed by some information on the Multiannual Programme for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. In addition, I will give some details on programmes to promote conditions conducive for entrepreneurial activity; The Entrepreneurship Action Plan and the eEurope 2005 Action Plan respectively Go Digital.
Finally, I will establish a connection between the EU industrial policy and the Lisbon Strategy.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Part 1
  • Chapter 1
    • The Promotion of SMEs as a Part of the Industrial Policy
    • Rationale for Industrial Policy
    • Market-based Industrial Policy
    • Interventionist Industrial Policy
    • Strategic Industrial Policy
  • Chapter 2
    • The Evolution of EU Industrial Policy
• Part 2
  • The Nature of SMEs
  • Chapter 3
    • The Definition of SMEs
  • Chapter 4
    • Statistics on SMEs
  • Chapter 5
    • Conclusion
• Part 3
  • The Promotion of SMEs in the EU
  • Chapter 6
    • The European Charter for Small Enterprises
    • Adoption of the Charter
    • Contents of the Charter
    • Implementation of the Charter
  • Chapter 7
    • The Multiannual Programme for Enterprises and Entrepreneurship
    • Contents of the Programme
    • The Euro Info Centres Network
    • The Financial Instruments
    • Policy Development
    • Evaluation of the Programme
  • Chapter 8
    • Programmes to Promote Conditions Conducive to Entrepreneurial Activity
    • The Entrepreneurship Action Plan
    • eEurope 2005 Action Plan and Go Digital
• Part 4
  • EU Industrial Policy and the Lisbon Strategy

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay examines the European Union's policies promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It analyzes the rationale behind the EU's industrial policy, tracing its evolution over time. The work also delves into the definition and role of SMEs in the European economy and explores various EU initiatives designed to foster entrepreneurial activity.

• The EU's industrial policy and its rationale
• The evolution of the EU's industrial policy
• The definition and role of SMEs in the European economy
• EU initiatives for promoting SMEs
• The connection between the EU's industrial policy and the Lisbon Strategy

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter 1 delves into the rationale for industrial policy, exploring three approaches: market-based, interventionist, and strategic. Chapter 2 examines the evolution of the EU's industrial policy.

Part 2 focuses on the nature of SMEs. Chapter 3 defines SMEs, while Chapter 4 presents statistics on their role in the European economy. Chapter 5 concludes Part 2.

Part 3 focuses on EU initiatives promoting SMEs. Chapter 6 explores the European Charter for Small Enterprises, encompassing its adoption, contents, and implementation. Chapter 7 delves into the Multiannual Programme for Enterprises and Entrepreneurship, analyzing its contents, the Euro Info Centres Network, financial instruments, policy development, and evaluation. Chapter 8 examines programs fostering conditions conducive to entrepreneurial activity, such as the Entrepreneurship Action Plan and eEurope 2005 Action Plan, including Go Digital.

Part 4 examines the connection between the EU's industrial policy and the Lisbon Strategy.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key terms and concepts explored in this work include: EU industrial policy, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurial activity, Lisbon Strategy, European Charter for Small Enterprises, Multiannual Programme for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, eEurope 2005 Action Plan, Go Digital, market-based industrial policy, interventionist industrial policy, strategic industrial policy.

• Course: Monetary and Fiscal Policies of the European Union
• Grade: 1,0
• Author: Elisabeth Herrle (Author)
• Publication Year: 2006
• Pages: 32
• Catalog Number: V77284
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638825221
• ISBN (Book): 9783638825702
• Language: English
• Tags: Monetary, Fiscal, Policies, European, Union