Mid-sized companies: key economic players
Mid-sized companies are present in all sectors of the economy. They play a crucial role in job creation, value added production, and exports. For example, in 2019, they accounted for 29.7% of turnover and 24.3% of salaried employment in the non-agricultural and non-financial market sectors (source: INSEE).
However, despite their economic weight, mid-sized companies are overlooked. Their intermediate size places them in a gray area, where they benefit neither from the visibility of large companies nor from the attention given to small structures. This is where the etilab chair comes in, offering an innovative approach to studying these companies from all angles.
The etilab chair, for a better understanding of mid-sized companies
After an initial mandate focused on HR attractiveness, decarbonization, and growth, etilab is launching three new major projects for the next three years:
1. Mid-sized companies and Europe: towards a common definition?
French mid-sized companies are not isolated: they share characteristics with their European counterparts. But how can they be defined on a continental scale and given a place in European economic policy? This project aims to compare French mid-sized companies with those in other European countries in order to propose a harmonized definition and better understand their dynamics.
2. Mid-sized companies and digital technology: opportunities to be seized
Digital transformation is a major challenge for all companies, but it takes on a particular dimension for mid-sized companies. What are their comparative advantages in this area? How are they integrating new technologies into their practices? This research project will explore the digital strategies of mid-sized companies and their impact on competitiveness.
3. Mid-sized companies and local areas: strong local roots
Mid-sized companies are often deeply rooted in their local areas, which they help to revitalize. But what exactly is their role in reindustrialization strategies? How do they interact with local stakeholders? This project will analyze their economic and social impact, as well as their relationships with their environment.
Theory, data, and fieldwork for a unique methodology
The strength of the etilab chair lies in its methodology, which combines economic theory, data analysis, and field surveys. This approach makes it possible to produce robust and actionable knowledge for both businesses and public decision-makers.
For example, the 2023 publication of Vivre loin pour vivre mieux : la prime à choisir un territoire moins dense (Live far away to live better: the bonus of choosing a less densely populated area), one of the chair’s first scientific works, helps to identify the factors that increase the attractiveness of less densely populated areas. One of the latest projects, the report Becoming a mid-sized company: paths to growth published in June 2025, analyzed the growth trajectories of SMEs that became mid-sized companies, highlighting the levers that enable this transition.
A new cycle to promote mid-sized companies
Under the direction of Pierre Fleckinger and Antoine Prévet, etilab is embarking on a new ambitious research cycle, supported by committed sponsors: Crédit Agricole d’Île-de-France, Forvis Mazars, Club ETI Île-de-France, Région Île-de-France, METI, Reseaudef, Septodont, Groupe ETPO, SOCOTEC, DiotSiaci, Acorus, Hopscotch, Ceva, Energys, Prova, and Henner. Together, they form a unique alliance between academia, businesses, and public institutions to shed light on the challenges facing mid-sized companies and propose concrete solutions.
ETIs are key players in the French economy, but they remain little known. Our goal is to produce knowledge that will inform public policy and help these companies meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Pierre Fleckinger
For both economists, the challenges are clear: we need to better understand ETIs in order to better support them.
By bringing together academic research and practitioners in the field, we are creating a unique ecosystem where everyone can contribute to a better understanding of mid-sized companies. This new research cycle is an opportunity to deepen our knowledge and propose concrete solutions.
Antoine Prévet
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