The impact of the financial crisis on the job creation potential of SMEs

This study reviews the effect of the current crisis on Europe’s economy, as well as measures taken by governments and social partners to support SMEs in the crisis. The study discusses in detail the experience and potential of two main types of measures (short-time working arrangements and skills development and training) for a number of Member States. Most of them have implemented measures in the form of packages rather than stand-alone individual measures. The study reviews recent experiences with such packages in Austria and Lithuania and ends with conclusions and recommendations.