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Governments around the world recognise the important role of small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) for economic prosperity and social well-being. SMEs contribute to these goals through numerous channels. In the OECD area, SMEs account for 60% of total employment and generate 50% to 60% of value added on average. Across countries, new and small businesses are often a driving force of innovation and knowledge diffusion, respond to new or niched demands and social needs, and contribute to the empowerment and inclusion of marginalised groups.
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This publication brings together for the first time the vast array of OECD data pertaining to business environment conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is the outcome of a pilot project undertaken in 2015-16 by the OECD Working Party on SMEs and Entrepreneurship (WPSMEE), with the aim to analyse SME performance, business environment conditions and SME policy approaches in OECD countries.
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SMEs play a key role in OECD countries, representing almost the totality of the business population, and accounting for large shares of employment and value added. In 2013, SMEs in the non-financial business sector of the OECD area accounted for 99.7% of all enterprises and for 60% of total employment, and generated between 50% and 60% of value added on average. In all countries, micro-enterprises dominate the business landscape, accounting for 70% to 95% of all firms. However, there is a large heterogeneity in the structure and contributions of SMEs within and across OECD countries.
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This chapter provides an overview of the SME population across OECD countries and of trends in their performance relative to larger firms. The analysis considers different performance indicators to reflect the multi-dimensionality of SME policy objectives. The analysis highlights the heterogeneity of the SME population within and across countries, reveals performance patterns since the global financial crisis, and where possible, over a longer period, and describes the performance of SMEs in global markets.
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This chapter discusses enabling conditions and barriers for SMEs stemming from the institutional and regulatory environment. It documents and benchmarks across OECD countries business framework conditions in the areas of regulation, court and legal framework, taxation, competition and public governance. The chapter also provides a description of recent policy trends to improve the institutional and regulatory framework for SMEs.
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This chapter discusses the challenges faced by SMEs in accessing global and public markets and presents comparative evidence across OECD countries on trade and investment conditions, infrastructure investment and development, and public procurement approaches. The chapter also describes recent policy developments to enhance conditions for SMEs to access markets.
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This chapter discusses access to strategic resources by SMEs, including finance, human resources and skills, knowledge, technology and innovation, and energy. It comments on the relevance of these resources for small business creation and growth, highlights key challenges for SMEs’ effective access and use, and presents comparative evidence on SME access and conditions for use across OECD countries. The chapter also provides a description of recent policy trends to enhance SME access to finance, skills development, innovation and energy efficiency.
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This chapter discusses the relevance of entrepreneurial attitudes, opportunities and capabilities for SMEs, and presents comparative evidence across OECD countries. It comments on recent patterns, networking opportunities for entrepreneurship in a digitalised economy, and access to entrepreneurship training. The chapter also provides a description of recent policy trends to promote an entrepreneurial culture.
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