What is the impact of the participation of Czech SMEs in the Framework Programmes of the EC for research, technological development and demonstration activities?

Abstract

In-depth research of 56 Czech SMEs participating in projects funded under the thematic programmes of FP6 and FP7 was carried out in order to reveal the level of their involvement, the exploitation of research results and thus the benefits they gain from participation. Many SMEs cite indirect benefits, particularly networking with potential partners or customers and the improvements of their scientific, technological or managerial skills as the main values of project participation. More straightforward, market-oriented benefits such as introduction of new products or services onto the market, the increase of turnovers or other positive impacts on economic measures of performance after the project completion are, however, only rarely noted. Also, only a minor proportion of SMEs claim that their participation resulted in a new intellectual property subjected to formal protection (i.e. patents, industrial designs, utility models etc.). Many Czech micro- and small-size enterprises consider the overall effectiveness of the framework programmes questionable, complaining mainly on their unwieldy financial rules as well a significant administrative burden associated with the projects. The medium-size companies with more than 80-100 employees, on the other hand, tend to claim more satisfaction with the framework programmes. Nevertheless, when compared with existing national R&D programmes, many SMEs, regardless to their size, admit that the current FP scheme is less relevant to their actual needs and strategies.