Objective
As SMEs need to collaborate because of the global competition, they are more and more interested in dynamic networked and virtual organisations. In spite of this interest, only few SMEs have adopted IT tools supporting their collaboration. The study aims at analysing the existing situation and trends both with refer to technological and organisational aspects. Important indications are expected from the comparison between research outcomes and market offer. In particular, the societal and economic impact of the conversion forms an informal collaboration among SMEs into a formalised one will be highlighted. More the products are complex and more the collaboration among SMEs is important, due to their limited investment capabilities. Therefore, the study will be focused on mechanical and electromechanical sectors where the supply relationship constitutes a relevant element.
Objectives:
The study intends to contribute to reduce the lack of wide survey about IT tools and organisational models suitable to SMEs willing to constitute and participate in dynamic networked and virtual organisations. The study aims at giving to tool developers and services suppliers indication on how to develop tools, systems and services on the basis of the requirements defined in the analysis of SMEs needs. Moreover the Study aims at suggesting adequate societal and organisational models to SMEs and to those consultant societies that will support collaboration among enterprises. The final objective is to address the Community policies and research activities to the direction shown by the Study results which will be published to guarantee appropriate information dissemination.
Work description:
The Study will be carried out by a consortium formed by representatives of 3 European countries. The first phase will be the analysis of the studies regarding collaboration among SMEs already developed (inside and outside EU programs) to underline the aspects that have not been taken into right account. An analysis of SMEs needs will be carried out in 3 sequential phases: firstly a questionnaire will be elaborated to interview at least a hundred SMEs for each country involved, secondly a restricted sample of SMEs will be analysed in-depth, finally case studies will be carried out on two SMEs network for each country. Different "classes" will be outlined to group SMEs with closed requirements. In parallel with the previous activities, two studies will be carried out: the first one focused on research projects and the second one on market products and consultant services. The result is a benchmarking of tools and organisational models already developed supporting collaboration among SMEs. Taking onto account the main classes of enterprises that have been delineated, a matching of the results of the SMEs needs analysis with the offer of tools, consultant services and organisational models (provided both from the market and from the research activities) will be executed. Also the European socio-economic trends and international ones will be studied. All the results achieved will be considered to understand, in the different classes, the societal and economic consequences of the application and use of technologies and organisational models supporting the dynamic networked and virtual organisations. A web site, brochures and publications will be produced supporting exploitation and dissemination activities, addressed to SMEs, tools developers, services providers, consultant societies, researchers and Universities and Commission services.
Milestones:
The Study foresees three milestones, related to the achievement of the following results:
M1 - Statistical analysis and survey of study and results;
M2 - SMEs needs analysis, tools and organisational models benchmarking;
M3 - Case studies results, requirements definition and trends.
Moreover, at the end of the Study, societal and economic impact analysis, exploitation plan, web site, brochures and multimedia publication will be made available.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
41100 MODENA
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.