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Financing patterns of R&D in small and medium-sized enterprises and the perception of innovation barriers in Germany

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  • Heike Belitz
  • Anna Lejpras

Abstract

We analyze the role public support plays in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) R&D financing as well as these firms’ assessments of financing conditions in the context of other framework conditions for innovation. Using the sample of 2,708 German SMEs that participated in public R&D promotion programs during 2005–10, we identify four unique types of R&D financing. Firms are generally positive about public financing of R&D in Germany, although a group of R&D companies without a track record that wish to introduce an innovation to the market find it difficult to procure a loan. SMEs perceive obstacles to innovation primarily in the non-financial sphere, namely, the supply of skilled personnel, market regulation, and competition conditions. Therefore, future work on innovation policies for SMEs should place greater emphasis on the non-financial external framework conditions for firm R&D and innovative activity.

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  • Heike Belitz & Anna Lejpras, 2016. "Financing patterns of R&D in small and medium-sized enterprises and the perception of innovation barriers in Germany," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 43(2), pages 245-261.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:scippl:v:43:y:2016:i:2:p:245-261.
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    2. Plank, Josef & Doblinger, Claudia, 2018. "The firm-level innovation impact of public R&D funding: Evidence from the German renewable energy sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 430-438.
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    4. Roberto Álvarez & Mario Canales, 2017. "Impacto de los Obstáculos al Conocimiento en la Innovación de las Empresas Chilenas," Working Papers wp452, University of Chile, Department of Economics.

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