Types of SMEs in the innovation system: activities, constraints and successes

A recent study commissioned by KfW Research examines innovation activities, the obstacles encountered in the process and the positioning of six different types of SMEs in the German innovation system. The key findings are:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises contribute one-third of the innovation performance of the German economy.
• Innovative companies without R&D also achieve considerable innovation successes.
• The share of non-innovative companies has increased by ten percentage points over the past ten years.
• Shortage of skilled workers and high costs: Obstacles to innovation have increased significantly since the mid-2000s.

Types of SMEs in the innovation system: activities, constraints and successes(PDF, 266 KB, accessible)