Standing out: innovative SMEs
The increased participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in framework programmes has long been a priority for the EU. A brand new innovative programme is now underway which promises not only to make improvements in this area but also to increase the participation of SMEs and researchers from the newer EU Member States. The InnoSME project will operate in identifying innovative SMEs from the 12 countries that have joined the EU since 2004, and in increasing their chances of winning funding contracts, particularly in the area of information and communication technologies (ICT). The project was launched as part of the EU's overarching drive for convergence among its Member States and the increased participation of SMEs in its Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). From its inception, InnoSME intends to identify potentially innovative SMEs from the different ICT subsectors located in the new Member States and Acceding Countries, assess their capabilities, and improve their conditions in order that they improve their participation in research and technological development and innovation projects of FP7 and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP). The first point of focus is the creation of regional networks of organisations involved with SMEs, especially intermediate bodies like business associations and Chambers of Commerce, but also local development agencies, public authorities, as well as education and training institutions. In conjunction with this, InnoSME will offer self-diagnostic tools to assess, train and advise SMEs on their path to participating in Community ICT research. The project also intends to create a database of SMEs from the ICT sector, identifying those potential candidates for participation in research and technological development programmes. ICT promises to offer major economical benefits to all firms, regardless of size and location, and has come under intense focus lately because of it. When deciding whether to invest in online marketing and sales tools, SMEs take into consideration the fit between their customer characteristics and net demographics. Factors considered include their clients' level of access to the Internet, their level of computer literacy and Internet awareness, their gender and age. It is hoped that in the future, SMEs in the new Member States will make more extensive use of the Internet, especially in cases where there is the likelihood that a considerable percentage of their target clients are regular users of the Internet. In such cases, small companies feel under pressure to adopt the Internet in order to live up to customers' and potential customers' expectations. They therefore take up the technology in order to build and maintain a good relationship with their clients.