ANNOUNCEMENT

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Please visit http://inno-grips.portals.mbs.ac.uk/

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moderator

Gazelles ministudy available online!

The ministudy on Gazelles is now available for download from the official INNO-GRIPS site.

This report comprises of several sections. The first section introduces the concept of a gazelle, putting it in context within the current EU priorities in economic policy. Then, the second section examines the issue of definitions. This is a key issue as small firms are in a state of change, growing in sales, manpower and capability development. Understanding what gazelles are is a key issue if appropriate action to support them is to be provided. Finally, Section 3 explores the economic role and significance of gazelles and the contribution they make to the key EU policy goals of competitiveness, innovation, employment and growth, looking at the best ways to them. Here we asked why we should support them; what is the rationale; how do we decide which firms should be supported and what are the drivers and barriers to development?

What are gazelles?

This following is taken from the mini-study framework.

1. Background
Fast growing companies, the so-called “gazelles”, are considered as a driving force for competitiveness, innovation and employment. However, empirical evidence suggests that the majority of new firms neither innovate nor grow, nor they even intend to do so. For example, in Finland only about 5-10% of new firms can be considered as innovative[1]. This raises the question how the emergence of gazelles can be further fostered and what is the role of public policy in promoting the development of gazelles.