Chair in SME Support and Management (APPME)

SMEs account for the vast majority of businesses in France: 4 million, or 99 percent of the total number of businesses, and they play a significant role in the French economy (50 percent of salaried employment). As such, they constitute a subject of study in their own right. These firms have unique characteristics that can influence how they are supported and managed.

The chair’s objective is to support academic research on the topic of supporting and guiding SMEs, to forge strong ties and create synergies between the faculty and researchers at Grenoble IAE - INP and the SME ecosystem, and to share these insights with students at Grenoble IAE - INP. This is achieved through the organization of conferences and symposia, the development of case studies, and the publication of research articles, professional articles, and book chapters.

The Chair's research areas:

• Supporting the Growth of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
• Transition to More Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility
• Optimizing Performance for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
• Governance and financing options, whether from banks or alternative sources
• Audit Requirements and Practices

The scope of the companies studied is broad, as it may include local, innovative companies across all sectors.