ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores, by combining interesting and relevant case studies, the different processes underlying regional economic growth and the contribution of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to development. It focuses on the mainstream theories related to economic convergence as the background to the empirical analysis, which again concerns the ensemble of EU regions. The book also focuses on an accounting framework for modelling SMEs in a regional economy and emphasizes the need to define the contribution of SMEs at different scales in a country where they constitute an important part of the economy. It explains the relationship between SMEs, universities and research institutes in the Bratislava regions. The book outlines the attempts at economic development and its consequences for the regions of Lithuania.