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EIU Survey Sponsored by SAP Shows SMEs Confident About Future

by
October 18, 2012

According to an Economist Intelligence Unit survey sponsored by SAP, small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) in emerging countries are expanding and flourishing financially while their counterparts in the developed markets — despite more difficult market conditions — are confident of an economic upswing in the near future.
SAP made the announcement during European SME Week in Brussels from October 15-21, 2012.

Read the press release.
Listen to the press call.

Learn more about the survey findings in the following three articles:

Developed economies: SMEs focus on continued expansion

  • Managers in developed economies expect tougher times ahead—but they are confident their own firms will succeed in increasing turnover.
  • SMEs are positioning themselves for growth, in particular, by using the internet, and by expanding into emerging economies, which offer large markets and higher growth.
  • The biggest obstacles that SMEs face are red tape and taxation. Stronger government support programs would improve the outlook for small companies.

Emerging markets: SMEs capture growth in expanding markets

  • Managers in emerging economies expect tougher times ahead, but are more confident that their own firms will succeed in increasing turnover
  • SMEs are positioning themselves for growth, particularly by using the internet, and by using technology to achieve efficiencies
  • The biggest obstacles that SMEs face are red tape and taxation; companies feel poorly equipped to overcome these obstacles

Developed vs emerging economies: SMEs – preparing for growth

  • Managers across developed and emerging economies expect tougher times ahead but are confident their own firms will manage to increase turnover
  • SMEs are positioning themselves for growth, particularly by using the internet, while firms in developed economies are more likely to expand abroad than those in emerging markets
  • Firms across the globe face the same obstacles; in developed markets, worries about trading conditions are deeper but managers are better prepared to tackle obstacles