Monitoring SMEs' performance in Europe : indicators fit for purpose. Methodological note

The Small Business Act for Europe (SBA) reflects the Commission's political will to recognise the central role of SMEs in the EU economy. The calculation of 2012 SBA principles has moved from a one way design process of the previous versions to an iterative process with the JRC (since 2011) with a view to laying the foundation for a sound tool. This report presents the SBA framework, methodology, the refinements made and provides additional assessment of the conceptual/statistical coherence and uncertainty analysis in the final tool. Extending the discussions offered in the 2012 SBA country factsheets, this report offers key messages on the European landscape of the SMEs achievements, such as the considerable differentiation among the SBA principles in terms of their dominant policy dynamics.