A Study of Entrepreneurship and the Prospects for Innovations Development in SMEs (2012-2013)

Abstract

The Bulgarian version of this paper can be found at http://ssrn.com/abstract=2290685 SMEs Analysis for the period 2012-2013 has been elaborated for the purposes and needs of the Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency (BSMEPA), which is responsible for the implementation of national policies in the area of small and medium-size enterprises. The main objectives of the analysis are: to track current situation in the SME sector, particularly entrepreneurship and the prospects for innovations development in the SMEs, and to assess the competitiveness of priority manufacturing sectors. Developments in the SME sector are observed mainly within the period of 2007-2013. Standard statistical indicators for the sector published by the National Statistical Institute, which currently are updated as of 2011 (for objective reasons these data are published with a 2-year lag), are complemented by: expert estimates for SMEs development in 2012 prepared by BSMEPA and Consortium INSIGHT; and two nationally representative quantitative surveys of SMEs conducted in February-March, 2013. The first of the surveys, which included a representative sample of 500 SMEs in the field of services, industry, commerce and construction, is used for overview of the situation in the sector. The second survey, which covers representative sample of 500 SMEs in 18 manufacturing activities, provides an opportunity for in-depth analysis of the industry and the prospects for innovations and internationalisation development. For the purposes of this analysis, data from other studies and reports concerning SMEs in the EU are used.