scholarly journals Small and medium enterprises and eco-innovations: empirical study of Slovak SME´s

2019 ◽  
pp. 89-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ľubica Lesakova
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Eu

Eco-innovation and green technologies are key to Europe´s future and they are at the heart of the European Union (EU) policies. The EU´s economic prosperity and well being are linked to its natural environment and the global demand for renewable energy and resource-efficient solutions will be a source of new jobs and economic growth in the years to come. As the numerous practical examples from industry demonstrate, eco-innovation is a powerful instrument that combines reduced negative impact on the environment with a positive impact on the economy and society. Eco-innovation call attention to the positive contribution that the small and medium enterprises can make to sustainable development and a competitive economy. To step towards sustainable economic growth, there is a need for much more eco-innovations to appear in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The aim of the paper is to present the results of empirical research aimed at SME´s involvement in eco-innovation activities in Slovakia and to compare them with the EU 28 average. Our analysis is aimed at five eco-innovation activities contributing deeply to the circular economy. That is a) waste recycling and minimizing waste generation; b) re-planned energy usage to minimize consumption; c) redesigning products and services to minimize the use of materials or using recycled materials; d) changes to the use of water to minimize consumption and to maximize water re-usage; e) usage of renewable energy sources. Identified will be the actual and perceived issues (problems, difficulties) encountered by Slovak SMEs with regard to undertaking eco-innovations. Based on the research results formulated are the implications for SMEs managers and policymakers in Slovakia concerned with the SME´s involvement in ecoinnovation. Our study is qualitative and descriptive in nature and most of the data is based on secondary sources. The data used to assess the SME´s involvement in eco-innovation activities come from the survey commissioned by the EC in the year 2016 with the aim to explore SME´s activities in relation to the circular economy (including the ecoinnovation activities) in the period of years 2014-2016. As to the Slovakia 383 SMEs operating in manufacturing, services and in the industry sector has been interviewed. The methods used in the paper are the methods of causal analysis, deduction, abstraction, comparison as well as synthesis.

scholarly journals New tools and opportunities in growth and climate friendly greening for small and medium enterprises in the European Union

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Xénia Szanyi-Gyenes ◽  
György Mudri ◽  
Mária Bakosné Böröcz
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Access To Finance ◽  
Medium Enterprises ◽  
The Eu

The role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is unquestionable in the European economies, while financial opportunities are still inadequate for them. The more than 20 million SMEs play a significant role in European economic growth, innovation and job creation. According to the latest EC Annual Report , SMEs are accounting for 99% of all non-financial enterprises, employing 88.8 million people and generating almost EUR 3.7 tn in added value for our economy. Despite the fact that there is plenty of EU funding available for these SMEs, for certain reasons these funds hardly reach them. But we have to see that the EU supports SMEs by various way, e.g. by grants, regulatory changes, financial instrument, direct funds. On the other hand, SMEs and decision makers realised that the environmental sustainability has to be attached to the economic growth, therefore more and more tools are available for these enterprises. Over the last few years, public institutions, the market, the financial community and non-governmental associations have explicitly demanded that firms improve their environmental performance. One of the greatest opportunities might lay in the Climate- and Energy Strategy till 2030 as 20% of the EU budget is allocated to climate-related actions, however the easy access to finance is still a key question. Does the EU recognise the actual difficulties? Is there a systemic reason behind the absorption problems? Is the EU creating a more businessfriendly environment for SMEs, facilitating access to finance, stimulates the green and sustainable growth and improving access to new markets? The paper analyses the current European situation of the SMEs and the effectiveness of some new tools, which are specially targeting SMEs. JEL classification: Q18

The Characteristics of SMEs in Dubai and Their Impact on Innovation

2020 ◽  
pp. 146-157
Author(s):  
Mercy Veronica Chaita
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Organizational Practices ◽  
Economic Success ◽  
Innovation Activities ◽  
Medium Enterprises

This chapter explores the extent and characteristics of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Dubai and their innovative practices. Within this context, considerable emphasis is placed on evaluating the propensity of these SMEs to adopt new technology. SMEs are significant to the local entrepreneurship and innovation activities as well as improving competitiveness. Furthermore, these enterprises play a crucial role in job creation and are fundamental to economic growth. The connection between economic success in SMEs is fundamental since these firms are able to incorporate innovation into their operations and organizational practices.

scholarly journals Analyzing the Impact of the Renewable Energy Sources on Economic Growth at the EU Level Using an ARDL Model

Mathematics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihail Busu
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Causality Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

Energy is one of the most important drivers of economic growth, but as the population is increasing, in normal circumstances, in all countries of the world, there is a demand for energy produced from conventional resources. Increasing prices of conventional energy and the negative impact on the environment are two of the main reasons for switching to renewable energy sources (RESs). The aim of the paper is to quantify the impact of the RESs, by type, on the sustainable economic growth at the European Union (EU) level. The research was performed for all 28 EU member states, for a time frame from 2004 to 2017, through a panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach and causality analysis. Furthermore, Hausman test was performed on the regression model. By estimating the panel data regression model with random effects, we reveal through our results that RESs, namely wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and hydropower energy, have a positive influence on economic growth at EU level. Moreover, biomass has the highest impact on economic growth among all RES. In fact, a 1% increase in biomass primary production would impact the economic growth by 0.15%. Based on econometric analysis, our findings suggest that public policies at the EU level should be focused on investment in RESs.

scholarly journals Digital Platforms Utilization for MSMEs Growth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Information Technology ◽  
National Economy ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have a very vital role in the development and economic growth in Indonesia. According to the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, in 2020, MSMEs have a total of 60% contribution to the Gross Domestic Bruto and 90% contribution to the national workforce absorption. Therefore, the recovery of MSMEs is very important for the well-being of the national economy. The Covid-19 pandemic must encourage MSMEs actors to transform their businesses if they want to survive. Business digitalization during the Covid-19 pandemic is growing faster. Therefore, the recovery of MSMEs cannot be separated from the utilization of information technology

scholarly journals Factors impeding African immigrant entrepreneurs’ progression in selected small and medium enterprises: Evidence from a local municipality in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard L. Ngota ◽  
Eric E. Mang'unyi ◽  
Sookdhev Rajkaran
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
African Immigrant ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
Medium Enterprises

This study examines factors inhibiting African immigrant entrepreneurs’ small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) growth in a municipality of South Africa. Understanding these factors is important to stakeholders as this is an area that plagues much of the immigrant entrepreneurship literature. The study is descriptive in nature, and data were sourced from active African immigrant entrepreneurs through a quantitative approach. Random sampling was used to identify a total of 75 businesses. The results indicated that access to credit from regulated financial institutions is a mirage and that Afrophobic attacks on businesses dwindles prospects of entrepreneurship, job and wealth creation, thus impacting on economic growth of the region. To help bring ‘long-lasting’ co-existence between immigrant entrepreneurs and natives, formulation and implementation of ‘liberal’ integrated public policy interventions and strategies are needed. This would help in having a positive impact on the region’s prosperity in terms of job creation, poverty reduction and economic growth, in turn improving the peoples’ well-being. Given the migratory patterns and greater human global mobility, debate on integrated approaches among or within government systems should never be obscure as it is one of the biggest challenges in the continent.

scholarly journals Advancing Opportunities in Renewable Energy Production

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 16-25
Author(s):  
István Vokony ◽  
Balázs Bonda ◽  
Attila Talamon ◽  
Máté Nagy ◽  
Gergő Holló
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Engineering Structures ◽  
Young Professionals ◽  
Energy Politics ◽  
The Eu

Abstract The organization - WEC Hungarian Young Professionals in Energy (HYPE) - in line with WEC’s (World Energy Council) visions aims for the dissemination of the principle of sustainable energy development in Hungary. The HYPE’s goals are to represent the Hungarian energy sector’s viewpoint at national, regional and international events; to introduce and evaluate the key energy issues by preparing studies; and to foster the development of future energy professionals. Sustainable development and the strongly related secure supply is one of the most important questions arise among energy engineering issues. One of the first answers for the above complex problem is renewable energy sources. To achieve success, that is to integrate renewable systems, it is essential to design, control and support engineering and financial background of electrical engineering structures. (The question is even more important for Hungary, where neither energy nor financial resources are abundant at all.) The long term energy politics of the European Union aims to provide well-being for its citizens. It can be derived to several sub-notions which the EU would also like to support therefore, such as the appropriate operation of the economy, access to electric energy for both households and corporate consumers on reasonable prices and attention to environmental protection and sustainable growth in the meanwhile. As of the above mentioned goals, the EU is committed to maintain the Europe 2020 strategy (20-20-20 initiative) which aims to reduce green-house gas emission by 20%, increase renewable energy sources to 20% (from 8.5%) and increase energy efficiency by 20% until 2020. The EU has launched several actions to achieve the 20-plans. Integration of electricity markets, development of networks and establishing investment capital is in progress. In the followings a chronology and overview will be presented to give a better understanding the aims, subsidy systems and energy politics’ targets. The study of WEC Hungarian Young Professionals in Energy brings opinion on the National Action Plan as well which is especially recommended to our readers.

scholarly journals Pumped-Storage Hydropower Plants as Enablers for Transition to Circular Economy in Energy Sector: A Case of Latvia

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 20-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Zvirgzdins ◽  
O. Linkevics
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Global Issues ◽  
Hydropower Plants ◽  
Pumped Storage ◽  
Development Trajectories

AbstractNowadays the planet is facing emerging global issues related to climate change, pollution, deforestation, desertification and the number of challenges is expected to grow as the global population is forecasted to reach 10 billion margin by 2050. A concept of circular economy can have a positive contribution to the current development trajectories. In order to implement it, preferably all the energy should be produced by using renewable energy sources, but there has always been a challenge for storage of renewable energy. Therefore, considering technical and economical parameters, construction options for a pumped storage hydropower plant in Latvia have been evaluated using the desk research methodology. Results have shown that Daugavpils PSHP is the most attractive project from the technological point of view, but it requires the greatest amount of investment and construction of Daugavpils HPP. At present all the construction options for PSHP in Latvia are economically disadvantageous and would not be viable without co-financing from European or national funds. Considering both technical and economical parameters, the authors emphasise Plavinas PSHP construction option.

scholarly journals The Importance of Supporting MSMEs’ Digitalization in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Information Technology ◽  
National Economy ◽  
Small And Medium Enterprises ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Medium Enterprises

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have a very vital role in the development and economic growth in Indonesia. According to the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, in 2020, MSMEs have a total of 60% contribution to the Gross Domestic Bruto and 90% contribution to the national workforce absorption. Therefore, the recovery of MSMEs is very important for the well-being of the national economy. The Covid-19 pandemic must encourage MSMEs actors to transform their businesses if they want to survive. Business digitalization during the Covid-19 pandemic is growing faster. Therefore, the recovery of MSMEs cannot be separated from the utilization of information technology.

scholarly journals Empirical Research on the Relationship amongst Renewable Energy Consumption, Economic Growth and Foreign Direct Investment in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 332
Author(s):  
Janusz Grabara ◽  
Arsen Tleppayev ◽  
Malika Dabylova ◽  
Leonardus W. W. Mihardjo ◽  
Zdzisława Dacko-Pikiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Renewable Energy Consumption ◽  
Integration Test ◽  
The Relationship

In this contemporary era, environmental problems spread at different levels in all countries of the world. Economic growth does not just depend on prioritizing the environment or improving the environmental situation. If the foreign direct investment is directed to the polluting industries, they will increase pollution and damage the environment. The purpose of the study is to consider the relationship between foreign direct investment in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and economic growth and renewable energy consumption. The study is based on data obtained from 1992 to 2018. The results show that there is a two-way link between foreign direct investment and renewable energy consumption in the considered two countries. The Granger causality test approach is applied to explore the causal relationship between the variables. The Johansen co-integration test approach is also employed to test for a relationship. The empirical results verify the existence of co-integration between the series. The main factors influencing renewable energy are economic growth and electricity consumption. To reduce dependence on fuel-based energy sources, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan need to attract energy to renewable energy sources and implement energy efficiency based on rapid progress. This is because renewable energy sources play the role of an engine that stimulates the production process in the economy for all countries.

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