The purpose of this master’s thesis is to explore how grants contribute to business growth across companies of different sizes, and what role strategic marketing communication plays in the process of grant acquisition and implementation. The theoretical framework draws on contemporary literature, which emphasizes that such grants are particularly crucial for micro and small enterprises due to their limited access to alternative sources of financing. The literature also suggests that the effects of grants on growth and innovation tend to be more visible in smaller firms. The empirical research is based on case studies of four companies of different sizes and from different sectors. The findings confirm the theoretical expectations: micro and small companies report significant positive impacts from the grants received, while the medium-sized company shows lower motivation for further applications due to administrative burdens and a lack of perceived added value. The large company, on the other hand, utilizes grants selectively and only when aligned with its long-term strategic goals. Moreover, the analysis reveals that strategic marketing communication plays a key role in building legitimacy and reinforcing the public image of the company. Communication strategies differ across company sizes, often reflecting the internal structure and culture of the organization. These insights offer useful implications for both enterprises and policymakers in designing and tailoring support mechanisms to match business needs according to size and stage of development.
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