‘Soft’ support infrastructure and the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in European countries
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between ‘soft’ support infrastructure (SSI) and the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The study encompasses European countries’ economic activity and SMEs’ output in 2015 and 2018. The focus of the research is SME...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Faculty of Economics, Belgrade
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Ekonomski Anali |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0013-3264/2021/0013-32642130067C.pdf |
| Summary: | The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between ‘soft’
support infrastructure (SSI) and the performance of small and medium
enterprises (SMEs). The study encompasses European countries’ economic
activity and SMEs’ output in 2015 and 2018. The focus of the research is
SMEs in the European Union member states and the Western Balkan countries.
The analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation
modelling (PLS-SEM). This method enabled the examination of links between
variables that are not directly observable. The results show that countries
investing in SSI have better SME performance. Based on the statistical
analysis, among other things, the authors identify the Human Development
Index and the use of information and communication technology at the company
level as the two most significant factors that impact on SMEs’ performance. |
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| ISSN: | 0013-3264 1820-7375 |