SME REPRESENTATION IN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE BODIES – A MODEL PERSPECTIVE
SME REPRESENTATION IN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE BODIES – A MODEL PERSPECTIVE

Summary/Abstract: Background: The research analyzes the formal representation of micro, small, and medium-sizedenterprises (SMEs) in the bodies of chambers of commerce in a model-based approach.Research purpose: Chambers of commerce are managed by their bodies (board, generalassembly, etc.). Their composition is most often chosen by members in elections. It should reflectthe structure of the associated enterprises – at least in terms of industry and size classes. Thedivision of mandates affects the operational activity of the organization – including the content ofpositions developed in consultation processes and services provided to entrepreneurs. The aimof the study is to verify whether in the countries selected for analysis (representing differentmodels of functioning of chambers of commerce) there are regulations securing the formalrepresentation of SMEs in the bodies of chambers. And if they do exist, what form do they take?In addition to determining the actual situation, the advisability and possible way of regulating theSME parity in several model scenarios is analyzed.Methods: Using the deductive method and critical analysis, the study analyzes the statutes ofchambers of commerce in selected countries and reviews sociological, economic and legal literature.Conclusions: The findings indicate that there are only a few examples of regulations protectingthe representation of SMEs in chambers’ bodies. It was also found that the rules for representingdifferent sized enterprises in the bodies and task groups of chambers of commerce are closelylinked to the model of these organizations. In the Anglo-Saxon private law model, business ownersprimarily participate voluntarily in selected organizations. However, in countries with a singlechamber per region, free choice of organization does not in fact exist. In the continental public lawmodel, where membership is universal by operation of law, statutes focus primarily on mappingthe structure of dominant industries in a region and usually omit other criteria. The sectoral modeloffers the greatest potential for balancing the representation of every size of industry and enterprise.

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