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P U B L I C A T I O N S 
Note
Publications are free unless otherwise stated. If specific contact information for obtaining a publication is not supplied, and there is a price listed in euros, then the publication can be purchased from the sales and subscription office in your country of the Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. Addresses can be found in most EU publications, on the WWW (http://publications.eu.int/general/ en/salesagents_en.htm) and by contacting the Publications Office (fax: +352 2929 42759). |
 MEs and co-operation
Observatory of European SMEs report 2003, No 5 This Enterprise DG-backed report assesses the importance of co-operation in the development strategy of SMEs. In this context, it considers joint activities of independent SMEs concerning more than one single task. Looking at the situation in different countries, the report finds there are big differences in the extent of SME co-operation, with cultural factors apparently a significant factor. Co-operation tends to be stable over time, with the same partners, while two-thirds of firms have fewer than seven partners. Almost three-quarters of SMEs surveyed pointed to some sort of barrier to co-operation, either in relation to maintaining independence, or lack of understanding of language/culture, or difficulties in finding partners. Nonetheless, eight out of ten SMEs which do co-operate feel that it strengthens their competitive position. In terms of policy inputs, the report stresses that impulses to co-operation are unique to each firm, and therefore policy-makers should concentrate on removing barriers to co-operation, for example the lack of information on potential partners.
Contact
European Commission, Enterprise DG
entr-competit-benchmarkg@ec.europa.eu
Download from http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/analysis/observatory.htm
 he impact of EU enlargement on European SMEs
Observatory of European SMEs report 2003, No 6
On balance, European SMEs see enlargement as an opportunity, through increased markets and larger pools of labour, according to this Enterprise DGbacked report. It finds that overall, the effects of enlargement are much greater for SMEs in the new Member States than in old Member States, while the manufacturing, wholesale and transport sectors are most affected. In particular, it is SMEs in border regions – in both old and new Member States – that have seen the greatest impact from enlargement so far.
Contact
European Commission, Enterprise DG
entr-competit-benchmarkg@ec.europa.eu
Download from http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/analysis/observatory.htm
 MD World Competitiveness Yearbook
CHF 980This reference book provides benchmarking data on 60 national or regional economies from across the world. Produced by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), in partnership with a range of organisations in the countries/regions surveyed, it provides a range of rankings and shows their evolution over the past five years. Over 300 criteria are ranked, in four main categories: economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure. On-line access to the database is also available.
Contact
C. Travers, IMD
Tl. +41 21 618 0251
Fx. +41 21 618 0204
christine.travers@imd.ch
http://www02.imd.ch/wcy
C O N F E R E N C E S
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Fourth European Forum for Innovative Enterprises
5-7 December 2004,
Stuttgart/Karlsruhe (Germany)
This major event, supported by the EU’s PAXIS initiative, which brings together regions interested in encouraging innovative start-up firms, represents a key opportunity to discuss new concepts in innovation policy. Creating new innovative companies is a vital component in stimulating economic growth in any region in Europe. Whilst the initiative to start a new firm must come from the individual entrepreneurs concerned, public authorities at regional and local level can do much to support them. Such support can be both active, or passive, since a wide range of policies may have positive or negative impacts on entrepreneurial activities.
The forum will open at the Centre for Art and Media Technologies (ZKM) in Karlsruhe, one of the most innovative attractions in Germany. Participants may take a guided tour of the centre, and there will be a keynote speech and conference dinner. Conference sessions will take place in Stuttgart, one of 22 regions to be given the ‘Regions of Excellence‘ label by PAXIS. Topics to be covered will include financing innovation, boosting innovative clusters, innovation in the regulatory environment, starting globally, generating new entrepreneurial activities, and shaping European innovation policy.
The event is intended for decisionmakers at local, regional and national level, business support representatives, financing organisations, participants in the technology transfer process and other players involved in the start-up development and, of course, for PAXIS partner regions.
Contact
http://www.fourthforum.org/ |
 thens Business Club
13-29 August 2004, Athens (Greece) An initiative of the Greek government, in partnership with the Olympic Games Organising Committee, the club aims to introduce foreign firms to Greek companies seeking opportunities for co-operation on both commercial and technical levels. Prior to the Games, the club operates on-line. During the period of the Games, the club provides facilities for meetings and work, along with networking opportunities. Contact
http://www.athensbusinessclub.gr/html/
 articipation in FP6 – training courses
1-3 September 2004, Brussels (Belgium)
These three one-day training courses – on writing competitive proposals for the Sixth Research Framework Programme, on negotiating and managing an FP6 contract, and on writing a technology implementation plan – are organised in co-operation with EARTO, the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations. Subsequent courses are planned for Copenhagen (Denmark) on 21-22 September, and in Brussels on 16- 18 November.
Contact
http://www.innovation.lv/baltdyn04/
 uality in e-learning
21-22 September 2004, Strasbourg (France) The EU-funded Qual-e-learning project wraps up at this European conference, where participants will assess the requirements for quality e-learning. Looking at quality from the learner’s perspective, the conference aims to help education providers and policy-makers tailor their approaches to e-learning to gain the best results. Contact
http://www.qual-elearning.net/
 esearch, innovation and knowledge transfer
26-28 September 2004, Porto (Portugal) Coordination between universities and industry is a critical factor in achieving the Lisbon targets set out by the EU. Last year the Commission adopted a Communication on ‘the role of universities in the Europe of knowledge’, and this conference, organised by the Deans’ European Academic Network (DEAN), will focus on universities’ contribution to European growth. Contact
http://www.esmu.be/
 rain gain: the instruments
29-30 September 2004, The Hague (The Netherlands)
Organised in the framework of the Dutch Presidency of the EU, this conference will address initiatives and policies which can not only help reverse the brain drain – Europe’s talented researchers leaving our shores to work – but can attract scientists from outside Europe to come and work here.
Contact
http://www.braingain-instruments.nl/
 icronora 2004 – brokerage event
30 September – 1 October 2004, Besançon (France) This brokerage event, in the field of microtechnologies, takes place alongside the international Micronora fair. Organised by IRC Grand Est, with co-operation from other members of the IRCs’ microand nanotechnologies thematic network, the brokerage event is a chance for companies to meet potential partners in a wide range of fields connected to microtechnologies.
Contact
A-M. Vieux, IRC Grand Est, France
Tl. +33 3 8147 4207
Fx. +33 3 8180 7094
AMVIEUX@franche-comte.cci.fr
http://www.euro-innovation.org/ |
May 2004
