Jean Bonnet, Mauricio Castillo-Vergara (p), Marcus Dejardin (p), Domingo Garcia Pérez de Lema

Jean Bonnet

This study analyses SMEs’ strategic choices and behaviours in different economic contexts. Research shows significant differences between SMEs in emerging and developed countries due to disparities in economic, cultural, social, and political conditions. SMEs in emerging countries face greater challenges in accessing financial and technological resources, operate in more flexible but less developed regulatory environments, and have limited access to training and education programs. These factors contribute to differences in strategic behaviour.

The study employs a comparative method to analyse SME strategies and public policies across different contexts, comparing developing and developed countries to identify commonalities and differences. Articles from the top 35 journals in the Web of Science database, focusing on SMEs, will be included. The research uses a two-step methodological approach: first, a bibliometric analysis quantitatively analyses existing literature on SME strategic behaviour and public policies in emerging and developed countries. Bibliometric tools identify trends, patterns, and key themes, using visual representations like citation maps and keyword clusters to highlight influential studies and research topics. This analysis aims to identify current trends, measure the impact of SME studies, create a comprehensive knowledge map, detect research gaps, and increase the visibility of SME research. Second, a comparative analysis compares and contrasts SME strategic behaviour and public policies in emerging and developed countries based on bibliometric findings. Theoretical frameworks guide the analysis, summarizing key findings and highlighting differences and similarities in SME behaviour across economic contexts. The study discusses implications for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, providing recommendations for future research and policy interventions.

Jean Bonnet (p), Bruno Drouot

Korneliusz Pylak

Consumers in developed countries are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental, social and governance impacts of fishing organisations. (Brécard et al., 2009; Charles et al., 2009; Bronnmann and Asche, 2023, 2017). Depending on the techniques used, fishing can have a greater or lesser impact on the degradation of the sea and fish stocks (Menozzi et al., 2020; Le Bras et al., 2024). Consequently, consumers are willing to pay more for a better-quality product that is caught responsibly (Lucas and al., 2021). This article compares and analyses the evolution of two labelling approaches in the face of overexploitation of the common sea bass resource.
The overfishing of sea bass has raised questions about the economic sustainability of fishermen reliant on this resource. Fishermen have shown their ability to defend their profession and promote their production by forming part of a social and territorial organisation, (Drouot, 2012, Drouot and Le Corroller, 2019; Bonnet and al., 2025). Various labelling initiatives have faced challenges, with the 'Pointe de Bretagne line-caught bass' label maintained but not the 'Normandy line-caught bass' initiative. Understanding the differences between the two is crucial.

Korneliusz Pylak (p), Jean Bonnet, Malia Kedjar

Marcus Dejardin

This paper examines dual models of innovation in regional development by investigating the interplay between entrepreneurial culture and region-specific characteristics. Drawing on foundational theories from Hofstede (1980) and Baumol (1990), as well as recent empirical insights (e.g., Pylak & Sosnovskikh, 2024; Stuetzer et al., 2022), we differentiate between the historical persistence model and the emerging innovation model. The historical persistence model posits that regions endowed with a deep-rooted entrepreneurial culture—reinforced by sticky regional characteristics such as robust occupational structures, specialized industries, and infrastructural advantages—can sustain high-quality entrepreneurship over time. However, these same legacy factors can also engender path dependencies that inhibit the transmission of entrepreneurial spirit, particularly when social divisions, rigid hierarchies, or over-specialization in declining sectors prevail.

In contrast, the emerging innovation model focuses on regions that have reinvented themselves by capitalizing on new opportunities following external disruptions. For example, the oil crisis of 1973 acted as a catalyst in several regions, prompting a shift toward dynamic, opportunity-driven behaviors that foster innovation in underexplored niches such as green entrepreneurship and eco-innovation. This model highlights how external shocks and targeted public policies can unlock latent entrepreneurial potential and stimulate sectors previously constrained by historical legacies.

Using France as a case study—a nation characterized by a rich socio-economic history shaped by the transformative impact of the French Revolution, industrial growth fueled by abundant natural resources, and strategically advantageous geographical positioning—this paper explores the coexistence and divergence of these two innovation models. On one hand, regions with longstanding industrial bases, such as those in resource-rich areas, demonstrate the persistence of entrepreneurial culture, albeit sometimes hampered by entrenched structural constraints. On the other hand, emerging regional hubs illustrate how shifts toward sectors like digital health, cybersecurity, and renewable energies can redefine local innovation ecosystems.

By comparing these complementary models within a unified national context, our study contributes to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive regional innovation and high-quality entrepreneurship. The findings underscore the importance of developing policies that not only preserve beneficial aspects of historical legacies but also promote adaptive transformation in response to evolving economic landscapes.