The European Network for Social and Economic Research (ENSR) is a network of organisations specialised in applied policy research with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship. EIM Business & Policy Research in The Netherlands founded the Network in 1991.
The network consists of members in all 27 EU Member States, together with members in Norway, Iceland, Switzerland (covering also Liechtenstein), Turkey and United Kingdom. As a result, the ENSR covers 33 countries.
The ENSR is able to cover all kinds of issues that are related to the business sector: entrepreneurship, labour, production, innovation, internationalisation, CSR, impact assessments, social affairs, etc.
All members are independent and follow a scientific approach. University graduates form the main work force of each member. In total more than 600 highly qualified researchers specialised in applied economic and social research are brought together in the Network. Professors, holding a chair in SME economics or in business economics, manage some of the member-organisations.
The overall competence of the Network is strengthened by the specialisation of each member. The Network has a broad spectrum of qualitative and quantitative research consisting of macro oriented, meso and sector studies, as well as micro economic and small business management research.
Each member has international experience in carrying out economic and social research. Several members have a wide network of international relations and have carried out research in many other Member States and countries in the developing world.
Since 2004 the Network has an office in Brussels.