The Role of SMEs in Diminishing Territorial Disparities. Case Study: Gorj County

The current study is part of a CNCSIS project, focusing on Gorj county; its previous phases consisted in identification of secondary growth poles and the way in which foreign and local investments can stimulate their development. The complex methodology used allowed for the identification of a main growth pole, the city of Târgu-Jiu, and nine secondary growth poles, mainly urban settlements (Motru, Tismana, Novaci, Bumbesti-Jiu, Sicleni, Târgu Cãrbunesti). A little-developed and not polarized area was also identified in the south-eastern part. This article reviews in depth the main features of SMEs (concerning size, number of employees, sectors of activity) in Gorj county, as well as their geographical distribution across the territory; it analyzes the part they play in creation and consolidation of secondary growth poles. The distribution of SMEs in Gorj county highlights that the highest concentration is found in Târgu-Jiu and secondary growth poles (with the exception of Urdari), while the non-polarized area in the south-eastern part of the county features some of the lowest values. At the same time, one can notice the companies tend to concentrate in the central and northern part of the county, a situation favored by the presence of natural resources, but especially by the polarization capability of the city of Târgu-Jiu. SMEs classification in terms of size highlights that microenterprises are predominant; in terms of sectors of activity, a predominance of tertiary-sector companies can be noticed.