internationalisation of small and medium …...market, industry, entrepreneurship and smes and...

Flash Eurobarometer 421

INTERNATIONALISATION OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES

SUMMARY

Fieldwork: June 2015

Publication: October 2015

This survey has been requested by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Internal

Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs and co-ordinated by the Directorate-General for

Communication.

This document does not represent the point of view of the European Commission.

The interpretations and opinions contained in it are solely those of the authors.

Flash Eurobarometer 421 - TNS Political & Social

Flash Eurobarometer 421

Internationalisation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Conducted by TNS Political & Social at the request of the European Commission,

Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW)

Survey co-ordinated by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication

(DG COMM “Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer” Unit)

FLASH EUROBAROMETER 421 “Internationalisation of SMEs”

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 3

I. COMPANIES ENGAGED IN INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES .............................. 5

1.1. Company activities within the Internal Market ........................................... 5

1.2. Company activities outside the Internal Market ......................................... 7

II. COMPANIES THAT EXPORT GOODS OR SERVICES ........................................ 9

2.1. Export markets ........................................................................................... 9

2.2. Share of sales from exports ...................................................................... 10

2.3. Overall experience with exporting amongst current non- exporters ....... 12

2.4. Export barriers ......................................................................................... 13

2.4.1. Problems encountered when exporting ................................................. 13

2.4.2. Barriers anticipated by companies that do not export ........................... 14

III. COMPANIES THAT IMPORT GOODS OR SERVICES .................................... 15

3.1. Import markets ........................................................................................ 15

3.2. Overall experience with importing ........................................................... 16

3.3. Import barriers ........................................................................................ 17

3.3.1. Problems encountered when importing ................................................. 17

3.3.2. Barriers anticipated by companies that do not import ........................... 18

IV. SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONALISATION .................................................. 19

4.1. Measures that would help SMEs internationalise ...................................... 19

4.2. Awareness of the European Enterprise Network ...................................... 20

ANNEXES

Technical specifications


3

INTRODUCTION

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the European economy.

Numbering over 20 million, SMEs represent 99% of European businesses, and provide

85% of all new jobs1,2.

To help support SMEs, the EU launched the programme for the Competitiveness of Small

and Medium-sized Enterprises (COSME) in 2014. Due to run until 2020, COSME is

designed to support SMEs by providing better access to finance, access to markets,

support for entrepreneurs, and creating a business-friendly environment to support

businesses creation and growth3.

As part of the COSME programme, support to SMEs is also provided through the

Enterprise Europe Network4. With some 600 member organisations covering more than

60 countries, the Network helps companies take advantage of international business

opportunities inside the EU and beyond.

In the context of the COSME programme, this survey was carried out in the 28 EU

countries and the participating non-EU countries – Albania, Former Yugoslav Republic of

Macedonia (FYROM), Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro and Turkey – to investigate SME’s

experience with international business activities, as well as their experiences and

perceptions of importing and exporting. It covers:

The experience of SMEs with international business,

Export markets, and the proportion of sales generated by exports,

SMEs' experiences with exporting, including real and perceived barriers,

Import markets,

SMEs' experiences with importing, including real and perceived barriers,

Measures that would help SMEs internationalise,

SMEs' awareness of the Enterprise Europe Network,

Use of e-commerce

It should be noted that for some of the small Member States (Cyprus, Malta and

Luxembourg) and most of the non-EU countries surveyed (Albania, Iceland, Former

Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Moldova) the sample size is relatively

low and results should thus be interpreted with caution as they carry a larger margin of

error. This is particularly the case for Albania where, due to the nature of the economic

sector, 100 businesses were interviewed.

1 http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/index_en.htm 2 http://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/cosme/index_en.htm 3 http://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/cosme/index_en.htm 4 http://een.ec.europa.eu

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/cosme/index_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/cosme/index_en.htm


4

This survey was carried out by TNS Political & Social network in the 28 Member States of

the European Union and in the six non-EU countries that are part of the COSME

programme between the 10th and 30th of June 2015. Some 14,513 small and medium-

sized enterprises were interviewed via telephone (landline and mobile phone) in their

mother tongue on behalf of the European Commission, Directorate-General for Internal

Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs.

The methodology used is that of Eurobarometer surveys as carried out by the

Directorate-General for Communication (“Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions

and Eurobarometer” Unit)5.. A technical note on the manner in which interviews were

conducted by the Institutes within the TNS Political & Social network is appended as an

annex to this report. Also included are the interview methods and confidence intervals6.

Note: In this report, countries are referred to by their official abbreviation. The

abbreviations used in this report correspond to:

ABBREVIATIONS BE Belgium LT Lithuania BG Bulgaria LU Luxembourg CY Republic of Cyprus* HU Hungary CZ Czech Republic NL The Netherlands DK Denmark MT Malta DE Germany AT Austria EE Estonia PL Poland IE Ireland PT Portugal EL Greece RO Romania ES Spain SI Slovenia FR France SK Slovakia HR Croatia FI Finland IT Italy SE Sweden LV Latvia UK The United Kingdom AL Albania MK Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia* IS Iceland MD Moldova ME Montenegro TR Turkey

* Cyprus as a whole is one of the 28 European Union Member States. However, the ‘acquis communautaire’

has been suspended in the part of the country which is not controlled by the government of the Republic of

Cyprus. For practical reasons, only the interviews carried out in the part of the country controlled by the

government of the Republic of Cyprus are included in the ‘CY’ category and in the EU28 average.

** Provisional abbreviation which in no way prejudges the definitive name of this country, which will be agreed

once the current negotiations at the United Nations have been completed.

* * * * *

We wish to thank the businesses throughout Europe that have given their time to take

part in this survey. Without their active participation, this study would not have been

possible.

5 http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm 6 The results tables are included in the annex. It should be noted that the total of the percentages in the tables of this report may exceed 100% when the respondent has the possibility of giving several answers to the question.

http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm


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I. COMPANIES ENGAGED IN INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

1.1. Company activities within the Internal Market

Companies were asked about their business activities within the Internal Market in the

last three years7.

- At least three out of ten companies in the EU either imported from or exported

to another EU country in the last three years –

More than one third of SMEs (36%) have imported from another country within the EU,

while 30% have exported to another EU country. At least one in ten have used a

subcontractor based abroad (14%), or have worked as a subcontractor for a company

based abroad (11%). Relatively few have worked with a partner based abroad for

research and development (6%), or have invested in a company in another EU country

(2%).

However, the most common answer is that they have not done any of these activities

within the Internal Market in the last three years (49%).

Base: All companies (N=13,111 in the EU)

7 Q2 In the last three years, has your company done any of the following inside the EU? Exported to another country; Imported from another country; Worked with a partner based abroad for research and development (R&D) purposes; Worked as a subcontractor for a company based abroad; Used a subcontractor based abroad; Invested in a company based abroad; None (DO NOT READ OUT); Don't know.


6

In 15 Member States, an absolute majority of SMEs say they have imported from

another EU country in the past three years8. This is particularly the case in Cyprus

(79%), Austria (75%) and Croatia (72%). In contrast, just 5% of SMEs in Bulgaria, 15%

in Italy and 19% in the UK have imported from another EU country.

In only five EU Member States do an absolute majority of SMEs say they have exported

to another EU country in the last three years: Latvia (67%), Austria (61%), Lithuania

(56%), Slovenia (52%) and Czech Republic (51%). Conversely, SMEs in Bulgaria (7%),

Italy (11%) and France (14%) are the least likely to say the same.

Across all countries, SMEs are more likely to say they have imported from another EU

country than to say they have exported to another EU country in the last three years.

The only exception is Germany, where SMEs are more likely to say they have exported

to another EU country than to say they have imported (48% vs. 46%).

The analysis of company characteristics illustrates the following differences:

The larger the SME, the more likely it is to have engaged in business activities

inside the Internal Market in the past three years, and this is particularly the case

for importing, exporting, or subcontracting.

Manufacturing and retail companies are more likely to have imported from

another EU country than those in the services or industry sector (53% and 52%

vs. 20% and 21%). Manufacturing companies are also the most likely to have

exported to another EU country (55% vs. 11%-39%).

Companies established before 2008 are more likely than those established

between 2008 and 2014 to have imported from (38% vs. 30%) or exported to

(32% vs. 23%) another country in the EU.

8 In Finland, an equal proportion also said ‘None’.


7

1.2. Company activities outside the Internal Market

In the same way that companies were asked about their activities within the EU, they

were also asked about their activities outside the Internal Market in the last three years9.

- Most SMEs have not undertaken business activities outside the Internal

Market in the last three years -

As the chart illustrates, companies are generally less likely to have conducted business

activities outside the EU. One in five (20%) have exported to a country outside the

Internal Market, while 19% have imported from one.

Fewer than one in ten have used a subcontractor based in a non-EU country (7%),

worked as a subcontractor for a non-EU country (5%), worked with a non-EU partner for

R&D (4%), or invested in a non-EU country (2%).

The majority of companies (69%) did not conduct any business outside the EU in the last

three years.


9 Q3 In the last three years, has your company done any of the following outside the EU? Exported to another country; Imported from another country; Worked with a partner based abroad for research and development (R&D) purposes; Worked as a subcontractor for a company based abroad; Used a subcontractor based abroad; Invested in a company based abroad; None (DO NOT READ OUT); Don't know.


8

Companies in Croatia (42%), Denmark (39%), Austria (37%), Sweden and Lithuania

(both 35%) are the most likely to have exported to a country outside the EU,

particularly compared to those in Bulgaria (4%), Ireland and Italy (both 8%). Companies

in Cyprus are the most likely to have imported from a country outside the EU

(49%), followed by those in Austria (40%) and Latvia (38%). In contrast, 3% of those in

Bulgaria and 8% of those in Estonia and Italy have done the same.

Companies in Sweden are more likely than those in other EU countries to have used a

subcontractor based outside the EU (28%), although 18% of SMEs in Denmark and

15% in Finland have also done this. In contrast, just 1% of companies in Italy and

Estonia say the same. Companies in Denmark (18%) and Sweden (14%) are also the

most likely to have worked as a subcontractor for companies outside the EU, while

those in Hungary, Italy and Croatia are least likely to have done this (all 1%).

The analysis of company characteristics illustrates the following differences:

The larger the company the more likely it is to have exported to or imported from

countries outside the EU in the past three years.

Manufacturing and retail companies are more likely to have imported from a

country outside the EU than those in the services or industry sector (30% and

28% vs. 12% and 6%). Manufacturing companies are also the most likely to have

exported to a country outside the EU (36% vs. 5%-26%).

SMEs established before 2008 are more likely than those that were formed more

recently to both import from (20% vs. 15%) and export to another country (21%

vs. 15%) outside the EU.

The larger an SME’s turnover, the more likely it is to have imported from or

exported to a country outside the EU. For example, 7% of those with the lowest

turnover have imported from a country outside the EU in the last three years,

compared to 33% of those with a turnover of more than two million euros.


9

II. COMPANIES THAT EXPORT GOODS OR SERVICES

2.1. Export markets

Companies that had exported in the last three years were asked where they had

exported to10.

- EU countries are the most common destination for exports –

The most common export destination was the European Union (81%), followed by the

Middle East and North Africa (15%), Eastern Europe, Caucasus and the Balkans (14%),

and the USA (13%). Around one in ten have exported to India and South East Asia

(11%), China, Russia or Latin America (all 10%).

Base: Businesses that have exported goods or services in the last three years (N=4,320 in the EU)

10 Q6 To which countries did you export in 2014? (DO NOT READ OUT - MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE) European Union; Middle East and North Africa; Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Balkans; USA; India and South East Asia; China; Russia; Latin America; Other (DO NOT READ OUT); None (DO NOT READ OUT); DK/NA (DO NOT READ OUT).


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2.2. Share of sales from exports

Companies that had exported goods or services in the last three years were asked the

proportion of sales that came from their own country11.

- Amongst exporters, the local market still represents the largest proportion of

sales in 2014-

For half of these companies at least 76% of their sales in 2014 were local, while for a

further 15% between 51% and 75% of sales were within their own country. Around one

in ten companies made 1-25% (12%) or 26%-50% of sales (10%) in their own country.

Just 6% of companies say none of their sales in 2014 were from within their own

country.


11 Q7a In 2014, approximately what percentage of your sales came from each of the following markets? From (OUR COUNTRY)


11

Similarly, the same companies were

asked the proportion of sales that

came from other EU countries12. For

54%, up to one quarter of sales in

2014 came from exports to other EU

countries, while for a further 15%

between 26% and 50% of sales were

from exports to other EU countries.

For 10% of SMEs, more than half of

their sales in 2014 came from

exports within the EU.

Just over one in ten exporting

companies did not generate any

sales from exports to other EU

countries (13%).

Finally, these companies were asked

the proportion of sales that came

from countries outside the EU13.

Over a third of SMEs surveyed said

that up to a quarter of their sales in

2014 came from exports to non-EU

countries (35%), and a further 6%

of the SMEs say that 26%-50% of

their sales in the same period came

from exporting to these markets.

Just 7% of SMEs have had more

than half of their sales coming from

non-EU countries in 2014.

However, exporting SMEs are most

likely to say that none of their sales

in 2014 resulted from exporting to

non-EU countries (43%).


12 Q7a In 2014, approximately what percentage of your sales came from each of the following markets? From other EU countries. 13 Q7a In 2014, approximately what percentage of your sales came from each of the following markets? From countries outside the EU


12

2.3. Overall experience with exporting amongst current non-exporters

- A large majority of companies that have not exported in the last three years

say they will probably never export -

Companies that have not exported either within or outside the Internal Market in the last

three years were asked about whether they have previous experience with exporting, or

if they will consider it for the future.

A large majority of companies that have not exported in the last three years say they

will probably never export (74%). Almost one in ten (9%) say they are considering

exporting for the future, while 3% are trying to export now. A very small proportion say

they used to export but have stopped (2%), while 2% tried to export but have given up.

By combining the results on the two questions about activities inside and outside the

Internal Market and considering also the SMEs that have previously exported even if

they do not now, it can be found that just over one third (36%) have some experience

with exporting. Equally, 64% of SMEs claim that they have no experience with exporting.

Within the EU, companies in Latvia (70%), Austria (66%) and Lithuania (64%) are the

most likely to have had experience with exporting, and they are amongst nine Member

States where at least half of all companies have had experience. At the other end of the

scale, only 11% of companies in Bulgaria, 16% in Italy and 17% in Ireland and France

have had some experience with exporting.



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2.4. Export barriers

2.4.1. Problems encountered when exporting

Companies that have experience with exporting, either in the last three years or

previously, were asked if a range of issues had been a major problem, a minor problem

or not a problem at all for them when exporting14.

- Complicated administrative procedures and high delivery costs are the most

common problems faced by SMEs when exporting –

Just over half of all SMEs say the administrative procedures when exporting are too

complicated (52%), with 24% saying this has been a major problem. At least four in ten

companies with export experience say the fact that delivery costs are too high (49%),

identifying business partners abroad is too difficult (45%), or the financial investment is

too large (42%) are either minor or major problems for them. In each case around one

in five say these have been major problems.

One in five SMEs also say the fact that resolving cross-border complaints and disputes is

too expensive has been a major problem when exporting (20%), and overall this has

been a problem for 38%. For 39%, the cost or complication of dealing with foreign

taxation has been a problem to some degree. At least one third say a lack of security in

payments from other countries (36%), not knowing where to find information about the

potential market (35%) or not knowing the rules (33%) have been problems when

exporting.

Base: Businesses that have experience with exporting (N=4,671 in the EU)

14 Q5a For each of the following difficulties that may present itself when exporting, tell me if it has been a major problem, a minor problem or not a problem at all? Delivery costs are too high; Your company does not know the rules which have to be followed (e.g. labelling); Payments from other countries are not secure enough; Dealing with foreign taxation is too complicated or too costly; Your company lacks the language skills to deal with foreign countries; Your company’s products and/or services are specific to your country’s market; Resolving cross-border complaints and disputes is too expensive; Your company does not have specialised staff to deal with exports; Identifying business partners abroad is too difficult; The administrative procedures are too complicated; The financial investment is too large; Your company does not know where to find information about the potential market. A major problem; A minor problem; Not a problem at all; Not applicable (DO NOT READ OUT); DK/NA (DO NOT READ OUT).


14

2.4.2. Barriers anticipated by companies that do not export

SMEs that do not currently export were asked about the same range of issues and if they

think that they would be a problem if they were to export in the future.

- Companies that don’t currently export are most likely to anticipate the large

financial investment required as a barrier to exporting –

More than half say the fact that the financial investment is too large (54%), or that

resolving cross-border complaints and disputes is too expensive (51%) would be

problems. Just over half of all companies say the administrative procedures when

exporting are too complicated (51%), with 32% saying this would be a major problem.

At least four in ten say the following would be problems: the fact that identifying

business partners abroad is too difficult (49%), the company does not have the

specialised staff to deal with exports (48%), delivery costs are too high, the cost or

complication of dealing with foreign taxation (both 47%), not knowing the rules,

insecure payments from other countries (both 46%), they lack the language skills to

deal with foreign countries (45%) or not knowing where to find information about the

potential market (41%).

More than one third says the fact that their products or services are specific to their

market would be a problem when exporting (37%), with 24% saying this would be a

major problem.

Base: Businesses that are trying to export, considering exporting in the future or will probably

never export (N=7,599 in the EU)


15

III. COMPANIES THAT IMPORT GOODS OR SERVICES

3.1. Import markets

SMEs that have imported from another country in the last three years were asked where

they had imported from15.

- Around eight in ten SMEs that have imported in the last three years, did so

from the European Union in 2014 -

Importing from another EU country is most common (81%), followed by importing from

China (19%), the USA (14%) and India and South East Asia (11%). At least one in

twenty imported from the Middle East and North Africa (7%), Eastern Europe, Caucasus

and Balkans or Latin America (both 5%), while 3% imported from Russia.

Base: Businesses that have imported goods or services in the last three years (N=5,106 in the EU)

Across the EU, companies in all Member States are much more likely to have imported

from other EU countries than they are from other areas. For example, in Cyprus 99% of

companies that have imported in the last three years did so from another EU country, as

did 95% of companies in Croatia and 94% in Austria.

Companies in Finland (32%), Malta, Germany, Poland (all 26%) and Cyprus (24%) are

the most likely to have imported from China, particularly when compared to those in

Bulgaria and Slovakia (both 6%). Companies in the UK (26%) and Denmark (23%) are

the most likely to have imported from the USA, followed by those in Germany (22%) and

Cyprus (21%).

15 Q10 Which countries did you import from in 2014? (DO NOT READ OUT - MULTIPLE ANSWERS POSSIBLE)


16

3.2. Overall experience with importing

Companies that had not imported in the last three years were asked if they had ever

tried or considered importing, or if they had done so in the past16.

- A large majority of companies that have not imported in the last three years

say they will probably never import -

Most (70%) say they will probably never import. One in ten (10%) are considering it for

the future, while 3% are trying to import now. A small proportion say they used to

import but stopped doing it (4%), or that they tried to import but gave up (2%).

The following chart combines the results of the two questions on the various activities

SMEs have engaged in inside and outside the Internal Market in the last three years. It

also includes the responses of this section and considers the SMEs that have previously

imported even if they do not now.

It can be observed that just over one in four (43%) have had some form of experience

with importing in the last three years or before. Conversely, almost six in ten (57%)

have had no experience.

Within the EU, companies in Cyprus (84%), Austria (78%), Croatia (76%) and Latvia

(73%) are the most likely to have experience in importing. In fact, in 18 Member States

at least half of all companies have had experience with importing. By contrast, just 11%

of companies in Bulgaria have had experience in this area.


16 Q8 Have you ever imported, tried to import or considered importing goods and/or services? You used to import but you stopped doing it; You tried, but you have given up; You are trying to do it now; You are considering it for the future; You will probably never import; DK/NA (DO NOT READ OUT)


17

3.3. Import barriers

3.3.1. Problems encountered when importing

SMEs that have experience with importing were asked whether a range of issues had

been a problem for them when importing17.

- High delivery costs are the main problem encountered when importing -

Just over half of these companies say the fact that delivery costs are too high is a

problem (53%), with more than one in five saying this is a major problem (22%).

Almost half (46%) say the fact that administrative procedures are too complicated is a

problem, and for 18% it is a major problem.

Four out of ten companies say the difficulty in controlling the quality of their orders is a

problem (40%), while 39% say this about the difficulty in identifying business partners

abroad, and 37% say this about not knowing the rules to be followed. At least three in

ten say not knowing where to find information about potential suppliers (31%), and not

having the specialised staff to deal with imports is a problem (30%), while 29% say this

about lacking the language skills to deal with foreign countries.

Each of the barriers presented is more likely to be considered a minor rather than major

problem.

Base: Businesses that have experience with importing (N=5,630 in the EU)

17 Q9a For each of the following difficulties that may present itself when importing, tell me if it has been a major problem, a minor problem or not a problem at all? Delivery costs are too high; Your company does not know the rules which have to be followed (e.g. customs or standards); Controlling the quality of your orders is too difficult; Your company lacks the language skills to deal with foreign countries; Your company does not have specialised staff to deal with imports; Identifying business partners abroad is too difficult; The administrative procedures are too complicated; Your company does not know where to find information about potential suppliers. A major problem; A minor problem; Not a problem at all; Not applicable (DO NOT READ OUT); DK/NA (DO NOT READ OUT).


18

3.3.2. Barriers anticipated by companies that do not import

Companies that are not currently importing were asked about a range of issues that may

be problems for them if they chose to do so18

– Companies that do not currently import are most likely to anticipate

difficulties with complicated administrative procedures and not knowing the

rules to be followed -

Just over half (52%) say the fact that administrative procedures are too complicated

would be a problem, while 51% say this about not knowing the rules to be followed, and

48% say this about not having specialised staff to deal with imports. For each of these

problems at least three in ten say they would be major barriers.

At least four out of ten companies say high delivery costs, difficulty in identifying

business partners abroad, difficulty controlling the quality of their orders (all 48%),

lacking the language skills to deal with foreign countries (46%) and not knowing where

to find information about potential suppliers (45%) are potential problems if they tried to

export. In each case at least one in five says they are potentially major problems.

Base: Businesses that are trying to import, considering importing in the future or will probably

never import (N=6,596 in the EU)

18 Q5a If your company were to import, tell me if the following difficulties would be a major problem, a minor problem or not a problem at all? Delivery costs are too high; Your company does not know the rules which have to be followed (e.g. customs or standards); Controlling the quality of your orders is too difficult; Your company lacks the language skills to deal with foreign countries; Your company does not have specialised staff to deal with imports; Identifying business partners abroad is too difficult; The administrative procedures are too complicated; Your company does not know where to find information about potential suppliers. A major problem; A minor problem; Not a problem at all; Not applicable (DO NOT READ OUT); DK/NA (DO NOT READ OUT).


19

IV. SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONALISATION

4.1. Measures that would help SMEs internationalise

All companies were asked what measures they thought would be most likely to help

them engage in business abroad19.

- Grants, subsidies and loans are the most likely measures to help SMEs

internationalise -

Three in ten say grants, subsidies or low interest loans would help their company the

most (30%), while almost as many mention tax incentives (28%) or support for finding

business partners and networking (27%). One in five (20%) mention opportunities to

take part in international trade fairs, or information on market opportunities (both 20%),

while 19% mention information on rules and regulations and 17% mention advice or

training.

One quarter of companies say none of these measures would help their company engage

in business abroad (25%).


19 Q12 Which of the following measures would help your company the most to engage in business abroad? (MAXIMUM 3 ANSWERS) Information on rules and regulations; Opportunities to take part in international trade fairs; Support for finding business partners and networking; Advice or training; Grants, subsidies or low interest loans; Tax incentives; Information on market opportunities; Other (DO NOT READ OUT); None (DO NOT READ OUT); DK/NA (DO NOT READ OUT)


20

4.2. Awareness of the European Enterprise Network

- Almost one in ten companies has heard of the Enterprise Europe Network -

When asked, 8% of companies say they have heard of the Enterprise Europe Network,

while 92% have not20.

Across EU28 countries there is relatively big variation in awareness of the Enterprise

Europe Network. Almost one in five companies in Malta and Luxembourg (19%) have

heard of it, as have 17% of those in Lithuania and Sweden. This compared to 3% in

Italy, and 4% in Spain, Belgium, France and the Netherlands.

Among the non-EU countries, the degree of awareness is not much different to that

observed in most EU Member States. The exception is Albania, where all companies

surveyed said that they have not heard or read anything about the Enterprise Europe

Network.


It is important to highlight that companies that have heard of the Enterprise Europe

Network tend to have different attitudes towards different aspects associated with

internationalisation. For example, they are generally more likely than those that have

not heard of the Network to have exported (41% vs. 29%) or imported (48% vs. 35%)

from inside the Internal Market. The same pattern also applies when looking at exporting

(30% vs. 19%) to and importing (28% vs. 19%) from outside the Internal Market.

20 Q1 Have you heard or read anything about the Enterprise Europe Network? Yes; No

ANNEXES

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

TS1

FLASH EUROBAROMETER 421

“Internationalisation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Between the 10th and the 30th of June 2015, TNS Political & Social, a consortium created between TNS political &

social, TNS UK and TNS opinion, carried out the survey FLASH EUROBAROMETER 421 on the “Internationalisation

of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”.

This survey has been requested by the EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Directorate-General for Enterprise and

Industry. It is a business to business (Level B) survey co-ordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication

('Strategy, Corporate Communication Actions and Eurobarometer' Unit). The FLASH EUROBAROMETER 421 covers

businesses employing 1 to 249 persons in the sectors of Manufacturing, Services (Wholesale and retail trade,

repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; transportation and storage; Accommodation and food service activities,

Information and communication, Financial and insurance activities, Real estate activities, Professional, scientific

and technical activities, Administrative and support service activities, Arts, entertainment and recreation) and

Industry (Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply; Water supply; sewerage, waste management and

remediation activities; Construction). It was also conducted in Albania, Iceland, FYROM, Moldova, Montenegro and

Turkey where the same target group was interviewed. Whenever a company was eligible the selected respondent

had to be a general manager, a financial director or a significant owner.

All interviews were carried using the TNS e-Call center (our centralized CATI system). The sample was selected

from an international business database, with some additional sample from local sources in countries where

necessary. Quotas were applied on both company size (using four different ranges: 1-9 employees, 10-49

employees and 50-249 employees) and sectors (Manufacturing, Services and Industry). These quotas were

adjusted according to the country’s universe but were also reasoned in order to ensure that the sample was large

enough in every cell.

TS2

Readers are reminded that survey results are estimations, the accuracy of which, everything being equal, rests

upon the sample size and upon the observed percentage. With samples of about 500 interviews, the real

percentages vary within the following confidence limits:

various sample sizes are in rows various observed results are in columns

5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

95% 90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50%

N=50 6,0 8,3 9,9 11,1 12,0 12,7 13,2 13,6 13,8 13,9 N=50

N=500 1,9 2,6 3,1 3,5 3,8 4,0 4,2 4,3 4,4 4,4 N=500

N=1000 1,4 1,9 2,2 2,5 2,7 2,8 3,0 3,0 3,1 3,1 N=1000

N=1500 1,1 1,5 1,8 2,0 2,2 2,3 2,4 2,5 2,5 2,5 N=1500

N=2000 1,0 1,3 1,6 1,8 1,9 2,0 2,1 2,1 2,2 2,2 N=2000

N=3000 0,8 1,1 1,3 1,4 1,5 1,6 1,7 1,8 1,8 1,8 N=3000

N=4000 0,7 0,9 1,1 1,2 1,3 1,4 1,5 1,5 1,5 1,5 N=4000

N=5000 0,6 0,8 1,0 1,1 1,2 1,3 1,3 1,4 1,4 1,4 N=5000

N=6000 0,6 0,8 0,9 1,0 1,1 1,2 1,2 1,2 1,3 1,3 N=6000

N=7000 0,5 0,7 0,8 0,9 1,0 1,1 1,1 1,1 1,2 1,2 N=7000

N=7500 0,5 0,7 0,8 0,9 1,0 1,0 1,1 1,1 1,1 1,1 N=7500

N=8000 0,5 0,7 0,8 0,9 0,9 1,0 1,0 1,1 1,1 1,1 N=8000

N=9000 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,9 0,9 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 N=9000

N=10000 0,4 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,9 0,9 1,0 1,0 1,0 N=10000

N=11000 0,4 0,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,9 0,9 0,9 0,9 0,9 N=11000

N=12000 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,9 0,9 0,9 0,9 N=12000

N=13000 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,8 0,9 0,9 N=13000

N=14000 0,4 0,5 0,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,8 0,8 0,8 N=14000

N=15000 0,3 0,5 0,6 0,6 0,7 0,7 0,8 0,8 0,8 0,8 N=15000

5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

95% 90% 85% 80% 75% 70% 65% 60% 55% 50%

Statistical Margins due to the sampling process

(at the 95% level of confidence)

TS3

ABBR. COUNTRIES INSTITUTES N°

INTERVIEWS

FIELDWORK

DATES UNIVERSE

BE Belgium TNS Dimarso 500 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 612,446

BG Bulgaria TNS BBSS 502 10/06/2015 25/06/2015 372,668

CZ Czech Republic TNS AISA s.r.o 500 10/06/2015 25/06/2015 1,065,819

DK Denmark TNS Gallup A/S 502 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 2,023,982

DE Germany TNS Deutschland 500 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 3,530,703

EE Estonia TNS Emor 500 10/06/2015 18/06/2015 84,160

IE Ireland IMS Millward Brown 500 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 200,570

EL Greece TNS ICAP 500 10/06/2015 29/06/2015 56,526

ES Spain TNS Demoscopia S.A 500 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 3,525,921

FR France TNS Sofres 501 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 3,611,417

HR Croatia HENDAL 501 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 537,828

IT Italy TNS Infratest 500 10/06/2015 29/06/2015 4,559,330

CY Republic of Cyprus CYMAR 200 10/06/2015 25/06/2015 66,087

LV Latvia TNS Latvia 501 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 100,150

LT Lithuania TNS LT 500 10/06/2015 29/06/2015 139,202

LU Luxembourg TNS Dimarso 200 10/06/2015 26/06/2015 30,586

HU Hungary TNS Hoffmann Kft 500 10/06/2015 29/06/2015 653,429

MT Malta MISCO International

Ltd 200 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 50,641

NL Netherlands TNS NIPO 500 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 1,006,697

AT Austria TNS Austria 501 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 402,076

PL Poland TNS OBOP 500 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 1,976,295

PT Portugal TNS Euroteste 500 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 1,242,423

RO Romania TNS CSOP 502 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 530,672

SI Slovenia RM PLUS 500 10/06/2015 23/06/2015 137,490

SK Slovakia TNS AISA Slovakia 500 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 403,800

FI Finland TNS Gallup Oy 501 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 346,505

SE Sweden TNS SIFO 500 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 728,774

UK* United Kingdom TNS UK 500 10/06/2015 22/06/2015 2,403,763

TOTAL

EU28

13.111

10/06/2015

30/06/2015 30.399.960

AL Albania IDRA 100 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 107,599

IS Iceland Capacent ehf 200 10/06/2015 24/06/2015 15,559

MK Former Yugoslav

Republic of Macedonia TNS Brima 200 10/06/2015 25/06/2015 51,400

ME Montenegro TNS Medium Gallup 200 10/06/2015 29/06/2015 20,672

TR Turkey TNS PIAR 502 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 2,629,674

MD Moldova Institutul de Marketing

si Sondaje IMAS-INC 200 10/06/2015 30/06/2015 43,455

TOTAL

14.513

10/06/2015

30/06/2015 33.268.319

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