Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Competitiveness: An Empirical Study

Globalisation and competitiveness affected the way of enterprises undertake innovation, particularly in the case of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). According with European Commission (2013) in Europe 99% of the enterprises are SME. SME all over the world are considered as the lifeblood of the economies. The importance of this research is justified by the predominance of SME that represents the majority of enterprises in Portugal. SME contribute to the creation of jobs, as well as to the competitiveness of the economies, specially, in crisis time. This study has two main objectives; firstly propose a literature review focused on competitiveness of SME. Secondly analysis a sample of 23 enterprises identified as leaders of Portuguese SME in 2012. The data considering a ranking list of the largest 1000 Portuguese SME in 2012, published by Exame (2013). This analyze consider some SME features such as, sales, market share, dimension and sector. Additionally this research present a SME case included in this database. Through the application of a questionnaire the study provides a complementary micro perspective of the factors that influences enterprises competitiveness. The questionnaire is divided into 3 parts: part 1 refers to the characterization of the enterprise, part 2 assess the entrepreneurial competitiveness, considering 9 questions to assess performance, 6 questions to assess internal processes and 4 questions to understand the relations with customers, and part 3 analyse the diffusion of innovation through 3 questions. Finally the study provides important clues relevant for the development of public policies that can support the innovation and competitiveness of SME. Moreover the discussion highlight some variables approached in literature review considered as pertinent in the case of innovative SME due their contribution to exports and to economic growth.