Hitchens, D., Trainor, M., Clausen, J., Thankappan, S. & De Marchi, B. (2003). Small and Medium Sized Companies in Europe. Environmental Performance, Competitiveness and Management. International EU Case Studies. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer.

Small and medium sized enterprises are important to all European economies. They create jobs, are a source of innovation and competition, create a dynamic, healthy market economy and preserve a stable economic base. Despite considerable efforts by governments to inform SMEs of the potential economic benefits from positively managing their environmental performance and investing in clean technologies, investigations and surveys, indicate that many are still: • unaware of relevant legislation, • unconvinced of the potential cost savings and market opportunities, • out of step with their customer’s requirements, • disassociated from their stakeholders’ concerns.