CRI

 [ABSTRACT]

  Based on the recognition of the social and economic role and importance of SMEs, which are the basis of the local economy and the industrial base, this study is based on the reality that it is absolutely necessary to seek local economic vitality and SMEs facing internal and external crises.

  The purpose of the study is, first, to grasp the reality of SMEs in Chungbuk Province and provide basic information analysis, second, to find strategies for SMEs to respond to changes in social and economic megatrend internally and externally, and third, to suggest innovative strategies to expand innovative competitiveness and improve management difficulties of local SMEs. As of 2021, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises in Chungbuk Province was 229,000, accounting for 99.9% of all businesses, and the number of workers was 570,000, accounting for 90.5% of the total number of employees. Compared to the whole country, businesses account for 2.97% and workers 3.1%. As for the regional distribution of small and medium-sized enterprises in Chungbuk Province, Cheongju is the most concentrated at 48.6%, the number of workers is 48.3%, and Danyang (1.6%) is the least. Chungbuk SMEs' '21 sales amounted to 81 trillion won, 3.0% of the total sales in the province, and Cheongju accounted for 44.7% of total sales in the province with 36.2 trillion won.

  The management difficulties of SMEs are felt more difficult in the non-metropolitan area than in the metropolitan area, and the non-manufacturing industry has lower sales than the manufacturing industry, and the companies that do not have consignment transactions with domestic SMEs are more difficult. The policy implications and tasks for strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs can be summarized as solving on-site difficulties and restoring vitality, expanding the foundation for policy support for local SMEs and improving institutions, and strengthening the future competitiveness of local SMEs and balanced development.

  Focusing on these strategic tasks, this study conclusively suggested the following innovative countermeasures to strengthen the future management strategy of small and medium-sized enterprises in Chungbuk Province.

  First, in order to solve management difficulties of SMEs in Chungbuk Province, it was proposed to devise a regional-specific segmentation support plan to overcome the management environment, analyze and provide information on SME market policies to support demand creation, hold an investment briefing session for promising SMEs to respond to difficulties in securing funds and manpower, operate a round table for new business items, and establish a connect platform for hope work in Chungbuk. For the mid- to long-term future management innovation of SMEs, it proposed digital transformation centered on selective, strategic and specialized areas, expansion of smart factories, establishment of a global general mall or business platform for SMEs in terms of distribution structure, and review the introduction of a regional stable employment system to promote network revitalization of small and medium-sized cooperatives, promote joint R&D of Chungbuk-type small and medium-sized enterprises, and enhance productivity.

  As a strategy to improve the policy support base for small and medium-sized enterprises in Chungbuk, it proposed drastic innovation and improvement of existing SME-related self-government ordinances, the formation and operation of the Chungbuk Regulatory Innovation Research Center, and the enactment of SME support self-government ordinances in Boeun and Jeungpyeong-gun.

  Finally, as a strategy to strengthen the future competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in Chungbuk, it was proposed to convert and expand existing industrial complexes or agricultural complexes into smart green industrial complexes, create regional specialization, improve the settlement environment to create a working environment, expand the foundation for smart-type joint logistics parking lots due to the lack of parking lots around industrial complexes, and designate and operate specialized partners and digital policy support centers in response to the digital economy era. In order to overcome environmental regulations and the burden of reducing carbon emissions of small and medium-sized enterprises, it was proposed to operate a circuit briefing session and a mobile counseling center to provide information on frequently changing policy systems and regulations. To accelerate the introduction of ESG ethical management, it was proposed to form and operate an ESG management support group for small and medium-sized enterprises in Chungbuk. In addition, in order to support the reinforcement of the creativity of small and medium-sized enterprises in Chungbuk, it was proposed to provide one-stop package support services and to use Cheongju Convention Center, Cheongju Airport, and Millennium Town to create and operate a permanent model for excellent products for small and medium-sized enterprises in Chungbuk.