Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description



CODE EST5390

 
TITLE European Community Industrial Policy and SMEs

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL Not Applicable

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT European Studies

 
DESCRIPTION The thrust of this study-unit is EU industrial policy in an enlarged Europe. The absolute majority of firms in the EU are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the EU has over the years developed a number of policies to help enterprise, increase competitiveness, provide a network for the exchange of information and joint ventures as well as sources of finance which they can tap such as venture capital.

Seminar 1 Introduction

An over view of the study-unit and the division of the seminar topics amongst participants. During this seminar the definition of SMEs will also be discussed.

Seminar 2 Industrial Policy in an Enlarged Europe

The challenges of industrial policy in the light if intense competition from globalisation is discussed. The effects of the EU’s enlargement is analysed both from the point of view of the old member states and also from the point of view of the new member states.

- Industrial Policy in an Enlarged Europe COM (2002) 714 FINAL OF 11.12.2002
Fostering structural change: an Industrial Policy for an Enlarged Europe COM (2004) 274 final of 20.4.2004
- “A new Industrial Policy: Making the EU a more attractive place for industry” press release 5.10.2005
- Mid-term review of Industrial Policy COM (2007) 374 of 4.7.2007
- Implementing the Community Lisbon Programme: A policy framework to strengthen EU Manufacturing – Towards a more integrated approach for Industrial Policy COM (2005) 474 final 5.10.2005

Seminar 3 The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP)

The CIP aims to encourage the competitiveness of European enterprises. SMEs are its main target, the programme support innovation activities, better access to finance and support services. The seminar analyses all the activities that fall within this programme.

- Some key aspects in Europe’s competitiveness – towards an integrated approach COM (2003) 704 final of 21.11.03
- More than half of young Europeans keen to start their own business press release 8.10.2007 Survey on Entrepreneurship Eurobarometer;

Seminar 4 The European Charter for Small Enterprises

The member states and the European Union have agreed a Charter for Small Enterprises to improve the business environment for small enterprises. The seminar analyses the Charter and looks at its implementation. It also looks at good practices in the ten lines of action found in the Charter.

- The European Charter for Small Enterprises
- The European Charter for Small Enterprises 2007 Good Practice Selection

Seminar 5 Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness

This seminar analyses the Europeans’ mindset as regards entrepreneurship and thus competitiveness. The seminar examines motivation, choices, experiences and obstacles linked to self-employment.

- Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP)
- Information Communication Technologies Policy Support Programme (ICT)
- Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE)
- “ Internalational Financila Integration and Entreprenueship” Alfaro Laura and Charlton Andrew, IMF, October 2006

Seminar 6 Access to Finance

The difficulties faced by SMEs in accessing finance at reasonable rates are examined in this seminar. It analyse what the European Commission is doing to solve these problems. Both debt and equity financing are examined.

- The regulation of micro-credit in Europe, Expert Group report, 31.4.2007
- Financing Small businesses: Recommendations for action 23.08.07 EIB website Various literatures

Seminar 7 Venture Capital

The seminar examines the role of venture capital in strengthening the capital base of firms with a growth potential. It compares the growth of venture capital in Europe with that in the USA. It also examines the role of the European Investment Fund (EIF) in the development of venture capital within the European Union.

- Removing obstacles to cross-border investments by venture capital funds, SEC (2007) 1719 of 21.12.07
- “The development of a Venture Capital Market in the European Unioni in favour of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: How successful has it been” Farrugia Joseph, September 2004
- “Optimal Investment, Monitoring, and the Staging of Venture Capital” Gompers Paul, Journal of Finance, 5 December 1995
- “Does Ventrue Capital spur Innovation?”, NBER Working Paper No. 6846, Massachusetts, 1998
- http://www.eib

Seminar 8 Enterprise Europe Network

The network is made up of close of 600 partner organisations in more than 40 countries. The seminar examines the role of this network and of the support function it is providing.

- Networks in the EC Communication and Information Policy, Palk Paavo
- Making the Internal Market work better for SMEs, Friess Berhard, 7.02.08

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Seminar

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment Yes 20%
Examination (2 Hours) Yes 80%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.


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