ФІНАНСОВА ПІДТРИМКА ВПРОВАДЖЕННЯ ІННОВАЦІЙ В МСП У РАМКАХ СМАРТСПЕЦІАЛІЗАЦІЇ РЕГІОНІВ ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКОГО СОЮЗУ

The European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) represent a valuable tool of the European Union. EU countries use the funds to finance activities focused on different areas. They are primarily aimed at reducing regional disparities between regions. The objective of this paper is to examine the effect of the European Structural and Investment Funds on economic indicators in Slovakia. To achieve this aim, the paper examines the evolution of economic indicators between the years 2007 and 2021. Secondary data on the drawing of the European Structural and Investment Funds in Slovakia in the period under review are identified. The impact is detected in the paper based on regression and correlation analysis. Established on the correlation and regression analysis outcome, we can argue that there is a dependence between the implementation of ESIF and the economic indicators, although the implementation of the ESIF has a small impact on gross domestic product and unemployment.

Problem setting. Nowadays, the issue of obtaining funding for scientific research, scientific and technical (experimental) developments is increasingly important. This practice is common, for example, in the EU. Many sources are offered: EU Framework Programs for Research and Innovation, European Structural and Investment Funds, etc. However, to understand the financing procedure itself, it is necessary to have some knowledge, including regarding EU legislation. First of all, attention should be focused on the terms, because this is the foundation, the alphabet. One of them is the beneficiary. It is found in many EU legal acts, but does not always have a fixed definition. Analysis of recent researches and publications. The main goal of the program or fund is to receive project funding. Foreign scholars focus their research in this area (for example, Mario J. Al Sayah, Pierre-Antoine Versini, Daniel Schertzer, Olatz Ukar Arrien, Marta Enciso-Santocildes). This situation is due to the fact that they have more modern and updated research infrastructures than Ukraine. Terms remain beyond their attention. However, there are isolated works with only the mention of the term in the issue without any analysis of it (for example, Glybko S., Kokhan V.). Purpose of the research is to clarify the term «beneficiary» in the EU Framework Programs for Research and Innovation, European Structural and Investment Funds. Article’s main body. An attempt is made to conduct a comparative analysis of the considered term in the EU Framework Programs for Research and Innovation («Horizon 2020», «Horizon Europe») and the European Structural and Investment Funds. Each of them has its own EU legal framework. However, only Regulation (EU) № 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) № 1083/2006, defines the term «beneficiary». Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) № 1290/2013 and (EU) № 1291/2013 refers to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) № 1296/2013, (EU) № 1301/2013, (EU) № 1303/2013, (EU) № 1304/2013, (EU) № 1309/2013, (EU) № 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) № 283/2014, and Decision № 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012, which defines the term «beneficiary». The EU Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation («Horizon 2020», «Horizon Europe») contain definitions of the types of beneficiary. It is the target final beneficiary and beneficiary of the Accelerator. The possibility of achieving synergy between the specified programs and the European Structural and Investment Funds is being investigated, if there are already differences regarding the definition of the term «beneficiary». Conclusions and prospects for the development. The author states the following conclusions according to the obtained results: EU legal acts do not contain a single vision for the same term «beneficiary». We believe that it is necessary to review this situation in order to achieve the synergy established in the Regulations (EU).

<p class="AbstractText">Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are considered to be the engine of the European economy. In EU SMEs make up more than 99% of all companies and provide around 75 million jobs. They are a key source of job creation and stimulation of entrepreneurial spirit and innovation and are therefore essential for fostering competitiveness and maintaining employment in the EU. Yet SMEs often have problems in raising funds to finance fixed investments and inventory and working capital. SMEs mostly use internal sources while the most important external sources of SMEs are bank loans, which are not easily accessible. Hence, one of the priorities of the European Commission is stimulating SMEs through EU funds and programs in order to enable SMEs development and finally to contribute to economic growth. SMEs sector also dominates the economic structure of Croatian economy and they have similar financing problems. However, Croatia in period 2014 – 2020 have at disposal a total amount of 10.676 billion of euros from European structural and investment funds, of which 8.397 billion are aimed for cohesion policy objectives and 470 million euros are aimed for the development and competitiveness of SMEs. Besides, EU programs COSME and HORIZON 2020 are intended to provide direct support to SMEs and to create a favorable environment for their development. However, even though the number of successful project applications for small and medium-sized enterprises in the total share of Croatian project applications is relatively high, fund absorption has not reached satisfactory levels. Using the sample of Split-Dalmatia County’s SMEs, this study finds out reasons for low absorption capacity from SMEs point of view: SMEs are interested in funds from European Union, but are not sufficiently familiar with their availability i.e. funds at their disposal, especially programs COSME and HORIZON 2020; SMEs state that they know how to apply for EU funds but considered the procedure as complicated and demanding regarding documentation, and that the needed knowledge and know-how for proposal is beyond their scope; SMEs are not satisfied with the cooperation with state institutions, especially Ministry of Regional Development and EU funds and Croatian Chamber of Economy. We point out four main conclusions: (1) SMEs are not enough aware of EU financing possibilities; (2) additional promotion of EU programs directly to SMEs is required; (3) additional education of SMEs regarding project proposal and documentation is needed and (4) more proactive policy of state institutions and cooperation with local authorities is expected. Finally, greater awareness and professional help might be a key in strengthening the SMEs, whose entrepreneurial spirit and innovation process is a prerequisite for economic growth and development.</p>

Purpose Owing to the growing importance of human resource practices (HRM) and open innovation (OI) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) context, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of high-performance working systems (HPWS) on inbound and outbound open innovation in SMEs through the mediating role of innovative work behaviour (IWB). Using ability-enhancing, motivation-enhancing and opportunity-enhancing (AMO) framework, this study investigates the direct and i.ndirect effects of HPWS AMO practices and SMEs open innovation through the mediation effects of IWB. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a random sampling method to collect data by surveying 208 participants from SMEs in high-tech manufacturing and knowledge-intensive service sectors. Partial least squares-structural equation modelling is employed to analyse the interrelationships between constructs. Findings The results show that ability-enhancing practices are critical HRM practices that directly influence SMEs inbound and outbound; IWB is positively and significantly related to OI approaches; IWB partially mediates the relations between AMO HPWS and inbound and outbound open innovation. Practical implications The effects of HPWS practices are important in fostering OI in SMEs operating in Czech Republic. In addition, IWB is a partial intermediation that strengthens the relation between AMO HPWS and inbound and outbound OI. Originality/value This study adds to our understanding of the direct and indirect interactions between HPWS practices, IWB and inbound and outbound open innovation in high-tech manufacturing and knowledge-intensive service SMEs in Czech Republic.

PurposeCOVID-19 has made businesses increasingly dependent on technology to be competitive and efficient. Small and medium enterprises (SME) digitalisation and innovation research are widespread. SME digital transformation and innovation require government policies, initiatives and assistance. How the government can help SMEs achieve these goals is unclear. So, this paper aims to investigate how government policy may assist Vietnamese SMEs to boost innovation performance and digital transformation.Design/methodology/approachThe study will take a quantitative approach, with questionnaires distributed to 659 respondents from SMEs in Vietnam through snowball and convenience sampling procedures. The structural equational modelling method is used for data analysis.FindingsThe study indicated that government policies supported Vietnamese SMEs’ innovation and information technology (IT) capabilities. Government policy assistance also boosted IT capabilities and innovation. Furthermore, mediation effects show that digital transformation fully mediates the relationship between innovativeness and firm performance, whereas IT capabilities partially mediate this relationship.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research that replicates the findings and analyses contextual heterogeneities between nations is advised because Vietnam’s pandemic setting was both similar and dissimilar.Practical implicationsThe study demonstrated government-company interactions through supportive policy. It investigated whether SMEs seeking digital transformation and innovativeness might gain competitive benefits by implementing effective knowledge management and enhancing their IT capabilities.Originality/valueA resource-based theoretical framework is extended to study how innovation, public policy and digital transformation for SMEs interact. The study confirms government policy strongly influences enterprises’ digital development. Specifically, the new mediating effects of IT capabilities and digital transformation are explored and provide new insights into the existing literature.

The programming period is a seven-year period in which the Member States of the European Union can draw funds for activities supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds. The institutional, procedural arrangements for the implementation of the European Funds within the Member States are regulated by European and national legislation. The paper aims to compare the 2014-2020 programming period and the 2021-2027 programming period in terms of the setup of processes resulting from national legislation. The comparison will be based on the comparison of Act 292/2014 on the Law on the and Law 121/2022 Coll. on contributions from European Union funds and on amendment and supplementation of certain acts. By analyzing the above-mentioned laws, we have found that from the institutional and procedural point of view, changes have been made in the setting of the new programming period. These changes could simplify the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds in Slovakia in the coming years.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the CR have the opportunity to use grants of many national and European funds and programmes to support their research and other activities. One of the important resources for the implementation of SMEs research and development activities is FP7. The article based on statistical data of E-CORDA database (database of FP7 grants) for the period 2007 to 2011 briefl y summarizes the participation of Czech SMEs in the FP7, compares the SMEs participation share and SMEs received fi nancial support share in terms of regions of the CR and EU countries referring to participation and obtained fi nancial support of other FP7 participants. The contribution analyses Czech SMEs participation in FP7 thematic priorities, presents the regional scope of SMEs in FP7 in the CR and compares the participation and fi nancial success rate of SMEs from the CR with the success rate of SMEs from other EU countries. Essential attention is given to the use of specifi c tools for SMEs in “Research for the Benefi t of SMEs“ Priority in Capacities Specifi c Programme, further to the national project preparation support infrastructure and to the barriers of the Czech SMEs participation in FP7.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are 99.9% of total businesses in Indonesia. Mapping/clustering potential of SMEs that built in accordance with the conditions of the region/administrative, potential resources (commodities) and business units (production centers and groups) can be used as an indicator and the benchmark for guidance, development and supervision in order to strengthen the spine and the national economic structure. Objectives of the study are (1) identify potential SMEs that built in accordance with business information and problems encountered; (2) compile a database of selected target SMEs in the form of statistical profiles that are relevant to the purposes of guidance, development and supervision (success indicators and critical); (3) develop a standard model or alternative development, SMEs development and built a successful surveillance with the potential clustering patterns (base development) in accordance with local circumstances, and economic sectors. In this study used techniques: (1) desk research of secondary data sourced from SMEs that built by PT. Sucofindo and literature on SMEs-related studies conducted; (2) a brief survey to the selected SMEs locations from the point (1) purposively to obtain primary data as a verification activity that is supported by effective semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis carried out descriptively, both qualitative and quantitative. From the study guidance, development and supervision of SMEs that built by PT Sucofindo available facts and data (information business, determinants, the feasibility of the business sector, loan repayment status and conceptual models) that SMEs that built can be categorized pre-enterprise SMEs and businesses running. Business grouping determines the smoothness of debt servicing. Therefore, in order to establish indicators of the model guidance, development and supervision in accordance with the type of SME, then the PT. Sucofindo requires an assessment system that is easy, fast, accurate, reliable and trustworthy, that can later be used as an effective guide for guidance, development and supervision of SMEs in general and in particular SMEs that built by PT. Sucofindo used a generic approach in business performance indicators that are supported by indicators of business drivers. Model guidance, development and supervision SMEs that has done so far by PT. Sucofindo still be reliable, but for the speed and feasibility of the establishment of SMEs which will be built into the front according to selected economic sectors, would be equipped with an approach that resulted in the studies of guidance, development and supervision, namely the general model of guidance, development and supervision of SMEs that built based on SMEs that built issues, systems of SMEs that built, assumptions, conceptual models and variables that can be measured. Guidance, development and supervision of SMEs that built, with potential cluster approach can be performed on: (1) category of solid natural resources, when positioned on the outskirts of the city and labor intensive, when positioned in the center of town; (2) technical assistance and competency-based according to the phase business. Both of the thing are helping improve the performance and structural improvement of SMEs, increase their competitiveness and resilience of SMEs supported by the core business, supporting business and related businesses intensively interconnected

PurposeInnovation is a prerequisite for economic and technological growth of any organization. Identifying enablers of innovation can help managers accelerate the process of economic growth. The purpose of this paper is to identify the prominent enablers of innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that can help overhauling organizations and benefit them economically.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive literature review and expert’s opinions have been applied to identify enablers of innovation. A case of automotive component supplier is considered for conducting the research. A coalescence of Grey and DEMATEL methodologies has been incorporated to first rank the enablers of innovation based on their importance and then identify the causal relationship among these enablers by characterizing enablers into causal and effect groups.FindingsA few important enablers, namely, entrepreneur traits, knowledge management, resources for innovation, and linkage capabilities, have been identified as prominent enablers for successful innovation in SMEs.Practical implicationsThis paper identifies enablers of innovation in SMEs and the causal relationship between these enablers. The identified enablers and the causal relationship between these enablers will help managers of small organizations in selecting the enablers that need to be focused on, which, in turn, can drive other enablers of innovation, thus saving time and resources of the organizations.Originality/valueThis paper uses a novel Grey–DEMATEL methodology to identify the causal relationship among enablers and also contributes to the literature on innovation by identifying enablers of innovation in SMEs.

This paper presents a meticulously conducted and extensive comparative analysis of the absorption patterns of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) throughout the 2014–2020 programming period across a diverse array of European countries, with a particular emphasis on the Greek context. The primary objective of this study is to offer a comprehensive understanding of both shared trends and variations in fund absorption dynamics, thereby providing valuable insights into the intricate factors that shape the utilization of ESIF. Utilizing a robust methodological framework, this research undertakes an exhaustive examination of national and regional data to unravel the multifaceted determinants influencing absorption rates. Key determinants, including macroeconomic conditions, administrative efficiency, institutional capacity, and policy frameworks, are rigorously scrutinized to elucidate their nuanced impacts on ESIF absorption dynamics. Through this methodical approach, the study endeavors to provide nuanced insights into the efficacy of fund allocation mechanisms and the pivotal role played by socio-economic factors in steering regional development trajectories.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a review of literature on fraud with a specific focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Specifically, it aims to provide further knowledge on recent developments in fraud research and offers suggestions for future research.Design/Methodology/ApproachThis paper systematically reviews the fraud literature, by organising them into five sections; definition, elements, theories, factors and prevention mechanisms.FindingsThe most common factors of fraud in SMEs are the low morale among employees and weak internal control within the organisations. Nonetheless, research on fraud involving SMEs is limited, albeit the importance of SMEs to the economy.Research Limitations/ImplicationsThis paper encapsulates the importance of research on fraud in SMEs by offering directions for future research. Among others, future studies might indicate the link between corruption, financing sources and innovation of SMEs, especially within the context of an emerging country and reveal the cost of the criminal justice system to identify more accurately the cost of fraud in SMEs.Originality/ValueThe focus on fraud in SMEs and the recent period of study offer a foundation for future research directed at the factors of fraud and the prevention mechanisms. Future research can further explore and broaden the literature on fraud involving SMEs through research that focuses on the impact of fraud and the types of control mechanisms that suit the SMEs. Greater understanding of fraud in the SMEs allows in identifying the best approach to prevent and detect fraud for small businesses with limited resources.

The need to investigate suitable alternatives to conventional fossil fuels has increased interest in several renewable energy sources, especially in widely available sources of biomass. This has made environmental and socio‐economic improvements possible. In recent years, biogas from biomass has increasingly been considered the most feasible alternative to energy from fossil fuel, as it allows both the possibility to reduce waste disposal treatment and the opportunity to produce green energy. Opuntia ficus‐indica (OFI) has been suggested as a possible biomass as it could represent a suitable resource for producing biomethane as a new frontier within the context of a circular economy. This study aims to define a methodology for evaluating the distribution of OFI biomass that is potentially available for biogas production by applying maximum entropy modeling in a case study of a province located in southern Italy. The geographic information system (GIS)‐based model that was developed made it possible to estimate the suitability of the species in the territory and to define specific indices at the municipal level by enabling the localization of the highest productive territorial areas. Municipalities were grouped into three different classes ranging from low to high potential ones. In future years, new municipalities could be part of the high‐potential group, due to global warming resulting from climate change. The results could be relevant to the intervention priorities established by the European Union related to the planning activities supported by the European Structural and Investment Funds within the Smart Specialization Strategy. In this regard, knowledge of the potential production and distribution of a species in a territory is highly valuable information for the quantification of the biomass potentially available for biogas production, prior to strategic planning for the improvement of the biogas sector. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

The role of digital transformation in organizational innovation has received increasing attention from academia over the past decade. Although previous reviews have provided important insights, the relationship between digital transformation and innovation remains underexplored within the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study aims to address this gap by examining the relationship between digital transformation and innovation in SMEs. Employing bibliometric techniques and in-depth content analysis, 115 empirical studies from 32 countries and regions were retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The results reveal a positive correlation between digital transformation and innovation in SMEs, though the effects are often context-dependent. This study identifies two research streams, three evolutionary stages of research hotspots, and seven major thematic clusters. Building on these findings, an integrated AMMO (Antecedents–Mediators–Moderators–Outcomes)-TCM (Theory, Context and Method) framework is developed to advance the understanding of the complex and controversial relationship, along with the mediating mechanisms and boundary conditions that shape this relationship. The study offers both future research directions and practical implications for advancing SME innovation in the digital age.

Purpose The Indonesian Government has taken many measures to support the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are expected to play a crucial role in employment creation, gross domestic product growth, and non-oil and gas export development. The purpose of this paper is to examine recent developments of SMEs in Indonesia. More specifically, it aims to address the following research questions: How important are SMEs in Indonesia? What are their main constraints? What is the impact of women entrepreneurs on SME development? and Can Indonesian SMEs be sources of innovation? Design/methodology/approach The paper analyzes data from Indonesia's National Agency of Statistics and reviews key literature and secondary data on Indonesian SMEs. Findings First, SMEs have been the main player in domestic economic activities as they account for more than 99.9 percent of all firms and employ 96.2 percent of the workforce. Second, key SME constraints include lack of finance and marketing difficulties. Third, representation of women entrepreneurs is still relatively low and can be attributed to low level of education and cultural/religious constraints. Finally, SME innovation capability is low for several key reasons. Originality/value The paper considers the involvement of women in SMEs in a Muslim-majority country and contributes to the literature on the innovation capability of SMEs.

Topicality. The aim of the Cohesion Policy, founded by the European Union (EU) in the 1980s, is to help peripheral regions lagging in terms of economic development to achieve higher growth rates than developed regions to establish economic balance. As specified by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the key factor for economic growth in a globalized, competitive environment is the ability to innovate. The EU's Lisbon Agenda, announced in 2000 in response to the challenges of globalization, aims to increase social and economic cohesion by making Europe the world's most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy. Since then, the innovation component has become a key element of EU cohesion policy, strengthening its competitiveness in a globalized environment.The formation of a cohesive state in the social, humanitarian, economic, environmental, security, and spatial dimensions is the first strategic goal of the State Strategy for Regional Development of Ukraine for 2021-2027. According to it the formation of regional economic systems should be based on “cohesion”, “competitiveness” and building effective “multilevel governance” principles. Stimulation of innovation should become a key direction in building competitive regional economic systems.At the same time, the practice of implementing EU cohesion policy on an innovation basis has revealed some "tension between competitiveness and cohesion goals", increasing the competitiveness of more developed regions, which is conditioned by their ability to benefit more from innovation than peripheral regions.Aim and tasks. The article aims to investigate the innovation agenda of cohesion policy, the contradictions of its implementation, and to substantiate the ways to solve them in Ukrainian realities.Research results. The innovation component of EU cohesion policy has evolved from measures to stimulate the production and cooperation activities of firms, including the establishment and innovation (2000-2006 budget period), the formation of regional innovation systems (2007-2013), the elaboration of smart specialization strategies for research and innovation, which have become a prerequisite for receiving financial support from the European Structural and Investment Funds for each region (2014-2020 and 2021-2027).Ukrainian regions show significant differences in levels of innovation development compared to European regions, as well as compared with each other within Ukraine. The achievement of “cohesion” and “competitiveness” goals outlined in the State Strategy for Regional Development of Ukraine for 2021-2027, on our opinion, may become possible only by moving away from the linear models and methodology that are based on redistribution mechanisms of cohesion policy and substantiation of policy mechanisms grounded on interactive models, such as activation of interregional innovation cooperation and formation of regional innovation ecosystems.Instruments to ensure the cohesion of Ukrainian regions with EU regions are considered. Particular attention is paid to the smart specialization platform instrument with an emphasis on the interregional innovation cooperation mechanism.Conclusion. Today, the thematic area of innovation is a key priority of the Cohesion Plan. The implementation of the innovation agenda in cohesion policy is a crucial and at the same time quite difficult task. The conflict between the goals of cohesion and competitiveness can be resolved only based on abandoning linear redistributive mechanisms in favor of interactive tools, one of which is to stimulate interregional innovation cooperation. Joining the regions of Ukraine to the EU's Smart Specialization Platform can be one of the effective tools for cohesion with European regions on an innovative basis.