Καινοτομικές δραστηριότητες και ανταγωνιστικότητα στις ΜμΕ: το πλαίσιο φορολογικής πολιτικής, πολιτικής κινήτρων και οι επιπτώσεις στις καινοτομικές δραστηριότητες και στην ανταγωνιστικότητα των ΜμΕ της Ελλάδας

Abstract

Η παρούσα διατριβή εστιάζει στο βαθμό που το τρίπτυχο παραγόντων καινοτομίας, επιχειρηματικότητας και καινοτομικής φορολογίας μπορεί να συνδυαστεί προκειμένου να δημιουργηθεί και να εφαρμοστεί ένα πλαίσιο που θα συμβάλει τόσο στην ανάπτυξη των ΜμΕ όσο και της ελληνικής οικονομίας. Το κίνητρο που ώθησε στη σύνταξη της παρούσας διατριβής και η ενασχόληση ασχολία με το συγκεκριμένο θέμα ήταν το ερευνητικό κενό που εντοπίστηκε κατά την προκαταρκτική έρευνα (επιστημονική και εμπειρική) και αφορά την έλλειψη σαφής διατύπωσης του τρόπου που η καινοτομία και η φορολογική καινοτομική πρακτική βοηθούν στην επιβίωση των ΜμΕ κατά τη διάρκεια της κρίσης και στην ανάπτυξη τους, δημιουργώντας παράλληλα τις αναγκαίες προϋποθέσεις για την αύξηση του ΑΕΠ μιας οικονομίας. Οι στόχοι και τα ερευνητικά ερωτήματα που τέθηκαν σχετίζονται: α) με τη διερεύνηση της διάχυσης της καινοτομίας στην Ελλάδα και σε ευρωπαϊκές χώρες (και χώρες μέλη του ΟΟΣΑ) και ο βαθμός που η ελληνική μικρομεσαία επιχειρηματικότητα εφαρμόζει τις αναγκαίες καινοτόμες πρακτικές που οδηγούν στην ανάπτυξή τους και τελικά στην αύξηση του ΑΕΠ της χώρας β) την ύπαρξη θετικού συσχετισμού μεταξύ καινοτομίας, εφαρμογής καινοτομικών φορολογικών πρακτικών με σκοπό την καθιέρωση ενός διατηρήσιμου ανταγωνιστικού πλεονεκτήματος για τις ελληνικές ΜμΕ και την οικονομία και γ) τον εντοπισμό συγκεκριμένων καινοτομικών και φορολογικών πρακτικών που μπορούν να συμβάλουν στην ανάπτυξη των ελληνικών ΜμΕ και της χώρας. Για την επίτευξη των στόχων και την απάντηση των ερευνητικών ερωτημάτων διεξήχθη μια σχετική έρευνα (βιβλιογραφική επισκόπηση) με την ολοκλήρωση της οποίας επιλέχθηκε ως πρότυπο για την διαμόρφωση του Υποδείγματος της διατριβής το μοντέλο του Fagerberg (Fagerberg 2004). Στη συνέχεια εξετάστηκε το ευρωπαϊκό, διεθνές και ελληνικό περιβάλλον και το πλαίσιο και οι κανονισμοί που ισχύουν και επηρεάζουν την μικρομεσαία επιχειρηματικότητα στην Ελλάδα. Μέσω του Υποδείγματός μας έγινε προσπάθεια να εντοπιστεί η σχέση του ΑΕΠ για το διάστημα 1995 -2013 με επιλεγμένους δείκτες που σχετίζονται με την καινοτομία και τη μικρομεσαία επιχειρηματικότητα στην Ελλάδα, σε έξι άλλες ευρωπαϊκές χώρες και σε δύο ομάδες χωρών με τον γεωγραφικό προσδιορισμό Βόρειες και Νότιες ευρωπαϊκές χώρες. Η επιλογή των ευρωπαϊκών κρατών έγινε με κριτήριο τη συγκρισιμότητα των αναμενόμενων αποτελεσμάτων, της κυρίαρχης θέσης της μικρομεσαίας επιχειρηματικότητας στις οικονομίες τους και τον βαθμό επηρεασμού τους από την πρόσφατη οικονομική κρίση. Οι ανεξάρτητες μεταβλητές που επιλέχθηκαν για την οικονομετρική ανάλυση με στόχο την αποτύπωση της συσχέτισή τους με το ΑΕΠ είναι οι πατέντες (Patens), ο αριθμός επιστημόνων στην Ε&Τ (Human), οι δαπάνες για Ε&Τ (Gerd), οι εξαγωγές (Exports) και οι επενδύσεις (Invest). Τα αποτελέσματα της οικονομετρικής ανάλυσης έδωσαν θετικές απαντήσεις στα ερευνητικά ερωτήματα της διατριβής σε σχέση με το ρόλο της καινοτομίας στην ανάπτυξη και την ανταγωνιστικότητα των ΜμΕ και των αντίστοιχων οικονομιών. Συγκεκριμένα, για τις οικονομίες της ομάδας χωρών Α παρόλο ότι επλήγησαν σοβαρά από την πρόσφατη οικονομική κρίση, αποδείχθηκε ότι υπάρχει θετική σχέση μεταξύ των ανεξάρτητων μεταβλητών και της εξαρτημένης μεταβλητής του ΑΕΠ. Όσον αφορά την ελληνική οικονομία, το αποτέλεσμα που εξήχθη είναι ότι η εφαρμογή των κατάλληλων πολιτικών για τις πατέντες (Patents), το επιστημονικό προσωπικό που σχετίζεται με την Ε&T (Human), και τις εξαγωγές (Exports) επηρεάζουν θετικά το ΑΕΠ, ενώ δεν ισχύει το ίδιο για τις δαπάνες για Ε&Τ (Gerd) που θα πρέπει να αλλάξει ο τρόπος κατανομής τους και για τις επενδύσεις (Invest) που η οικονομική κρίση επηρέασε αρνητικά. Μία σειρά προτάσεων παρουσιάζονται που άπτονται των περιοχών στις οποίες η ελληνική οικονομία και οι ΜμΕ υπολείπονται σε απόδοση έναντι πολλών ευρωπαϊκών οικονομιών, όπως η εφαρμογή νέων τεχνολογιών, η ενίσχυση της επιχειρηματικότητας κυρίως μέσω καινοτόμων επιχειρηματικών πρακτικών, η εισαγωγή και εφαρμογή καινοτόμων φορολογικών πρακτικών, καθώς και η εισαγωγή εναλλακτικών μορφών χρηματοδότησης για τις ελληνικές ΜμΕ, λόγω του περιορισμού του τραπεζικού δανεισμού που παρατηρείται τα τελευταία χρόνια. Οι προτάσεις στοχεύουν στην ευκολότερη και με λιγότερο κόστος εύρεση των αναγκαίων κεφαλαίων επιβίωσης των ΜμΕ που οδηγούν στην ενίσχυση της καινοτομικής προσπάθειας και στην ανάπτυξής τους, με άμεσο όφελος για την ελληνική οικονομία.

Τέλος, οι προτάσεις για περαιτέρω και μελλοντική έρευνα εστιάζουν στην επέκταση της έρευνας για το ίδιο χρονικό διάστημα με τη χρήση φορολογικών δεικτών, που δεν είναι ακόμη διαθέσιμα από την ΕΕ και τον ΟΟΣΑ και σχετίζονται με τη μικρομεσαία επιχειρηματικότητα στην Ελλάδα και στις υπόλοιπες ευρωπαϊκές χώρες. Στόχος θα είναι να αποδειχθεί μέσω του Υποδείγματος μας η συσχέτιση της φορολογίας των ΜμΕ με το ΑΕΠ μιας οικονομίας. Επιπλέον στην περίπτωση της Ελλάδας θα εξεταστεί το νέο διαμορφούμενο καινοτομικό και φορολογικό περιβάλλον και η σχέση του με το ΑΕΠ σε διαφορετικές γεωγραφικές περιφέρειες της χώρας.

The present thesis focuses on the examination of the extent to which three main axes which comprise innovation, innovative taxation approaches and entrepreneurship can be combined in order for an efficient framework to be created and implemented to contribute to the development of the Greek Small and Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and the Greek economy. The focus of this thesis is based on the following three main objectives: a. To examine the degree of innovation that Greek SMEs apply and evaluate the resulting development which in turn will be assessed on the basis of the relevant indicators established in Europe ( i.e. in other EU members) through a benchmarking approach. b. To investigate and identify the extent to which the introduction and application of innovative taxation framework and practices are feasible so that Greek SMEs entrepreneurship can be promoted. c. To evaluate and determine the extent to which a combination of entrepreneurial innovation with innovative taxation practices can be effectively applied so that a sustainable competitive advantage for Greek SMEs and the Greek economy as well can be achieved and established.

On the basis of the objectives presented above, the research questions of the thesis have been specified as follows : 1. Is the diffusion of innovation among SMEs in EU countries-members (being OECD members too) adequate to support the development of Greek SMES and the Greek economy as well? 2. Is there any positive relation of business innovation and innovative taxation policies and practices with the tendency of creation and sustainability of competitive advantage for the Greek SMEs? 3. Which are the innovative taxation practices that can be applied to support the development of Greek economy? Does Greece have the required public sector infrastructure in place so that these practices (innovative taxation practices) to be effectively implemented? What are the potential problems that may hinder their implementation? The objectives and research questions above led the author of the thesis to carry out a literature review with the ultimate aim to identify the most suitable model that could be applied in order for the aims of the thesis to be satisfied. Among the main economists who have been examined Adam Smith and Schumpeter comprise proponents of entrepreneurship and innovation and their significant role in economic and social development of a country. Krugman and Ricardo have been another two of the most successful economists examined whose main stance concerned provision of incentives to enterprises as well as establishment of a fair taxation framework so that enterprises are given a boost for development especially during times of economic recession and depression. Finally, Jorgenson, one of the most recognized economic analysts of the 20th century, produced an extensive research and connected parameters such as information technology, energy management, taxation policies and research in innovation with increased degree of successful entrepreneurship. Once the literature review was complete, the similar model chosen to be applied for the purposes of the thesis in question was Fagerberg’s ‘synthetic framework’ designed to examine and determine the degree of SMEs ability to design and introduce innovation and develop successful entrepreneurship and sustainable competitive advantage (independent variables of the model), which in turn affect the GNP of an economy as the dependent variable. The reasoning which underlined the choice of this particular model lies in the fact that the variables that Fagerberg’s model comprises relate to the most of the parameters under examination in this study. As far as the strategies adopted and introduced at the European Union level, these mainly include the Lisbon Strategy, which proved not to be successful in rendering the European economy viable and competitive and in turn led to the adoption and implementation of the so called Small Business Act based on ten discrete principles mainly related to the promotion of an entrepreneurial environment providing second chance to bankruptcies, establishment of efficient public services necessary to support SMEs effective function, improved access to finance and new technology for innovation as well as encouragement and support provided so that SMEs can benefit from the development of new markets. With respect to the SBA principles, Greek economy exhibits a performance lagging behind the European respective average for seven out of the ten SBA principles with their performance in ‘entrepreneurship’ second chance’ and ‘access to single market’ principles being close or exceeding slightly the respective European average.

The intensity of the impact of the financial crisis stressed the fact that reality moves and evolves faster than the reality in politics. Hence, among the most severe effects of the latest financial crisis has been the sharp decrease of the produced added value as well as of the SMEs number. The negative effects of the financial crisis on the Greek SMEs appeared to be even more intensive with millions of SMEs ceasing their operations, which has been a situation accentuated by banking institutions’ denial to provide finance to SMEs on one hand and the increase of loan interest rates on the other. An important conclusion drawn from the response of SMEs to the economic crisis is that SMEs who survived implemented a triptych of specific operational policies including: a) reducing the operational cost, including wages, by adjusting production to reduced demand levels, b) seeking additional sources of liquidity (through late payment of their debts, reduction or deference of dividends to their shareholders and c) postponement of investment and respective expansion plans.

Summing up, many European economies took measures against the crisis and its effects with respect to entrepreneurship applying a range of policies mainly including: a) relaxation of the eligibility requirements for borrowing and increasing the share of official guarantees on loans, b) facilitation of exports and c) mediation to secure credit.

Throughout the primary research, the data for Greece and six other European Countries , as well as for the two main groups of countries with the geographical dimension north and south countries was collected and processed. The model which was used, similar to Fagerberg’s model, was applied in order to determine the degree of correlation between the dependent variable GDP and the independent variables involved in the research (PATENTS, HUMAN, GERD, EXPORTS, INVEST) .

Consequently, our model was applied to both groups of economies (group A and group B) with each one including the countries specified above.

The primary research results drawn provide positive answers to the research questions of the thesis with respect to the role of innovation for SMEs development as well as the competitiveness of the respective economies under examination. Specifically, in economies of group A, despite their recent financial recession touching the boundaries of depression, the five (5) independent variables specified above proved to affect positively the dependent variable of the formula which is the GDP of each economy under examination. Extrapolating these results, one can draw that through the adoption and implementation of appropriate and suitable policies for patents, research and technology, also concerning the personnel involved, exports and investments, the recovery of SMEs’ entrepreneurship will be feasible and achievable as well as the increase of GDP and the degree of competitiveness of those economies examined. As far as the Greek economy and its SMEs are concerned although there is no correlation found between GERD and GDP while one the other hand there is also a negative relationship evident between Investments and GDP, the positive correlation between the three variables: Patents, Human and Exports with the GDP seem to be rather promising for the economy and its enterprises. Specifically, what can be drawn here is the fact that the implementation of suitable innovative policies for SMEs’ entrepreneurship combined with innovative taxation policies and practices can lead the Greek economy back in a developmental track, increasing the degree of competitiveness and viability rate of its SMEs.

On the basis of the thesis’ objectives and research questions as well as the results of primary research, the recommendations made have been divided into five main categories including proposals for: a. Application of new technology to support introduction and development of innovation by SMEs, ( i.e. smart factories, green innovation etc.). What is proposed here is introduction of greater automation of production process in order to achieve lower cost of production and production of innovative products. However, for the recommended action to be effectively taken state support is required for the hiring of technologically competent personnel , availability of finance (provided by EU funds) so that introduction of technological innovation can be realized, streamlining of the relevant regulatory framework, the required paperwork and respective procedures, additional motives for the introduction and development of green innovation by the Greek SMEs, cooperation of SMEs with research centres (i.e. state universities), reinforcement of personnel training and development. b. Improvement of Greek SMEs entrepreneurial performance. In order for this particular recommendation to be realised a series of necessary actions are required including: taking strict measures to reduce illegal economic activities of SMEs that in turn harm healthy and productive competition among them, reduction of the time taken by the public services for the better provision of services to SMEs, improve Greek SMEs co-operation with foreign multinational companies for the diffusion of the innovative entrepreneurial culture among Greek SMEs. c. Effective action to be taken so that Greek SMEs operation will be in line with the EU-SBA principles. The main action suggested to be taken include the following: streamlining of current legal framework so that Greek SMEs can be granted official operation license much faster, reduction of the capital required for an SME to start operating, reduction of payment time to SMEs by the Greek public organisations, improve terms and conditions for lending, reduction of the required paperwork and bureaucratic procedures for exports. d. Introduction and implementation of innovative taxation frameworks and policies which mainly include: streamlining of SMEs taxation system, reduction of tax rate for SMEs on the basis of their investment in R&D as well as of the number of people they employ. Alternatively, the system of tax return can be applied for SMEs that contribute to the reduction of unemployment, more resources available to be invested in innovation etc. Moreover, application of reduction or tax returns for SMEs that invest in employee training and development, marketing and promotion and activated in exports. e. Due to the reluctance of banking institutes to finance SMEs activities in Greece and in Europe, a series of alternative lending models appeared in the international capital markets aiming at funding investment programmes of SMEs. Some of these programmes are advisable to be promoted to the Greek economy to support SMEs entrepreneurship. These mainly include: • Corporate bonds • Loan securitization • Covered bonds • Crowfunding • Mezzanine finance • Specialised platforms for public listing of SMEs Taking all of the above into account it can be drawn that appropriate policies and infrastructure through relevant government decisions have to be designed and applied in order to encourage institutional and private investors to cover part of the financing of SMEs, which can not be covered by the current banking system.

Finally, suggestions for further research mainly include two areas: a. expansion and application of the current research frameworks and tools over a wider sample of SMES for and b. repeat the current research once the statistical data for taxation related to the period 1995-2015 will be available in order to determine safely and draw valid conclusions on the way that a possible reduction in taxation may affect GDP of Greece. Specifically, a well organised effort will be made so that the required taxation statistical data to be found and collected ( for the 7 European countries of our sample) for the period 1995-2015, since this was not achieved in the present thesis due to lack of the respective data. However, the collection of this data (once this will be available) will provide us with valid statistical grounds in order to draw also valid conclusions with respect to the relation between taxation and innovation. In other words what will be examined will be the extent to which an increase or a decrease in taxation rates affect positively or negatively SMEs innovative action as well as the GDP of the countries selected. Finally, it is recommended that further research in the future should focus on the extension of the current research over the same time span making use of taxation indices that were not available throughout the completion of the present thesis neither in EU nor in OECD files which are related to the SMEs entrepreneurship in Greece as well as in the rest of the European countries. The goal of this further research should be provision of evidence through the application of our model for the correlation of SMEs taxation with the GDP of an economy. Moreover, in the case of Greece, the new innovative and taxation environment as well as its relation to the country’s GDP will also be examined taking to consideration also regional approaches.