Interview:
Impact study shows that 40% of SMEs declared an increase in commercial output as a result of their research project
The main finding of the Impact Assessment on SME specific measures will show that approximately 40% of SMEs declared that their projects, carried out during FP5 and FP6 programmes, resulted in commercial benefit or that a benefit is expected in the future. The final report is due to be published in October. In the meantime Dr Bernd Reichert, head of the SME unit, takes us through this and some of the other key findings from the draft report.
The impact assessment
The Impact Assessment on SME specific measures evaluates the economic and practical impact of FP5 and FP6 programmes. Dr Reichert explains: "We wanted to examine the performance of European SMEs in their own markets following their involvement in the programmes. We wanted to know if they were affected in a positive way and, ultimately, answer the question: Does it make sense to have, at European Level, a research programme dedicated to SMEs?"
Carrying out the Impact Assessment has taken 16 months. The assessment itself is based on quantitative data and, more predominantly, on case studies. Dr Reichert says: "We used to look at impact from programme level to decipher if it was successful: Did we get enough participants? Were our goals reached? But now we look at the participants, the actual SMEs themselves: Did they produce sufficient results and impact for the effort that was expended? Was it what they expected? This change of focus creates far more tangible and meaningful results and gives us - and those who will read the final report - a much more interesting insight to the work of the programmes."
The assessment began by making contact with nearly 3,000 SME participants of the previous programmes as well as a control group of 1,900 companies who were either unsuccessful in the programmes or did not participate. A lack of accurate data and several SMEs being sold or incorporated into larger companies made this exercise particularly complicated. But around 300 responded from a wide variety of industries, two thirds of which came from manufacturing industries and the machinery sector. And 45 of the respondents were used as detailed case studies for the report.
The consultants producing the case study reports were asked to also include intangible types of impact, such as networking, meeting new partners and gaining access to new markets and business.
The next 'demonstration' phase