Impact of European Union funds on the changes in the activities of small and medium enterprises in Wielkopolska Cover Image

Wpływ funduszy Unii Europejskiej na zmiany w sposobie działania małych i średnich przedsiębiorstw w Wielkopolsce
Impact of European Union funds on the changes in the activities of small and medium enterprises in Wielkopolska

Author(s): Paweł Mikołajczak
Subject(s): Economy
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego we Wrocławiu
Keywords: European funds; investments; enterprise; competitiveness

Summary/Abstract: The study makes an attempt to present the influence of structural funds of the European Union on a way of operating of small and medium enterprises. A major interest of the study concerns economic subjects which made the investments co-funded from the European means. The study also highlights the usage of European funds which are directed on selected targets. This study attempts to show significance and efficiency of varied structural funds for the improvement of competitiveness of SME as well as their importance for the development of this sector including a profile and a size of their business activity. Empirical analysis was based on the results of a poll covering 110 companies belonging to the sector of SME operating in the area of Wielkopolska. The empirical material includes entities operating in Wielkopolska, which received funding from the aforementioned fund in the 2004-2006 programming. The study was carried out among 52 small and 58 medium-sized entities. The period of research covers the years 2000-2007. There are included pre-accession funds (2000--2004) and structural funds (2004-2006), and the period of their settlement. On the basis of the analysis one can state i.e. that the main beneficiaries of the European funds were limited liability companies and privately owned companies. Empirical studies indicate a strong activity of the production enterprises for the use of EU structural funds. One can state that the investment carried out by Polish small and medium-sized companies primarily relates to the purchase of machines and technical equipment for the strengthening of their competitive position on the domestic and international market.

  • Issue Year: 2012
  • Issue No: 21
  • Page Range: 181-190
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: Polish