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Impact evaluation of business development grants on SME performance

Author

Listed:
  • Stjepan Srhoj

    (University of Dubrovnik)

  • Michal Lapinski

    (Johannes Kepler University Linz)

  • Janette Walde

    (University of Innsbruck)

Abstract

An assessment of the economic impact that can be achieved through grants makes it possible to refine such policy instruments in order to make public funding more effective in relation to the objectives pursued. In this paper, we investigate the effects of a business development grant scheme. More specifically, we question whether firms’ performance measures increased after receiving such grants. Methodically, we match grant receiving firms with grant non-receivers and estimate the average treatment effect on the treated using a two-way fixed effects regression. Our results point towards a positive effect of the grant scheme, which is particularly evident for firms of smaller size. Our estimated dose-response functions show that the share of grant amount in firm profits needs to be high enough for the grants to be effective. According to back-of-the envelope analysis, benefits outweigh the direct scheme costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Stjepan Srhoj & Michal Lapinski & Janette Walde, 2021. "Impact evaluation of business development grants on SME performance," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 57(3), pages 1285-1301, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:57:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s11187-020-00348-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-020-00348-6
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    2. Nurul Ashykin Abd Aziz & Mohd Hizam-Hanafiah & Hasif Rafidee Hasbollah & Zuraimi Abdul Aziz & Nik Syuhailah Nik Hussin, 2022. "Understanding the Survival Ability of Franchise Industries during the COVID-19 Crisis in Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Hyensup Shim & Kiyoon Shin, 2021. "Empirical Analysis of Evidence-Based Policymaking in R&D Programmes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Srhoj, Stjepan & Dragojević, Melko, 2021. "Public procurement and supplier job creation: Insights from auctions," MPRA Paper 110018, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Srhoj, Stjepan & Kovač, Dejan & Shapiro, Jacob N. & Filer, Randall K., 2023. "The impact of delay: Evidence from formal out-of-court restructuring," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    6. Stjepan Srhoj & Bruno Škrinjarić & Sonja Radas & Janette Walde, 2022. "Small matching grants for women entrepreneurs: lessons from the past recession," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(1), pages 117-142, June.
    7. Marjan Petreski, 2022. "State Aid Causing Distinct Incentives? Quasi-Experimental Measurement of the Effects of Grants on Private Enterprises in North Macedonia," Evaluation Review, , vol. 46(2), pages 200-230, April.
    8. Sorin-Romulus Berinde & Laura-Maria Herța, 2021. "Performance Improvements for Romanian SMEs and Their Predictors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-13, July.
    9. Pengpeng Yue & Aslihan Gizem Korkmaz & Zhichao Yin & Haigang Zhou, 2021. "Household-owned Businesses’ Vulnerability to the COVID-19 Pandemic," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(6), pages 1662-1674, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Business development grants; Policy evaluation; Two-way fixed effects regression; Matching; Heterogeneous treatment effects; Dose-response-function;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • H50 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - General
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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