RAISING COMPETITIVENESS OF CZECH SMES – ANALYSIS OF R&D SUPPORTING PROGRAMMES

Year 2011, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 157 - 166, 01.12.2011

Lukas Prochazka

Abstract

The article presents findings of two surveys pursued among Czech small and
medium-sized enterprises focused on various supporting programmes in the field
of research and development (R&D). The programmes are aimed mainly at
commercial application of R&D, and hence are expected to be one of the main
tools helping raise competitiveness of Czech enterprises. Recently, many public
policies rely heavily on their positive effect. However, few research concerning
effectiveness of the programmes has been pursued.
The article intents to fill the research gap by surveying motivation of SMEs to
participate, as well as benefits they obtain as a result of a funded activity. The
article also discovers interesting insights regarding innovation activities of Czech
enterprises.

Keywords

R&D Programmes, Small and medium-sized enterprises, Innovation.

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