**2. SMEs in Europe**

Different countries and sectors define SMEs differently and there are many classifications for different fields [3] with regard to employment, sales, or investment [4]. So there is no common

definition for SME at present. The European Commission has developed criteria for SME [3] including employee numbers, turnover, and balance sheet statistics [5], which make an equal consideration possible. ar for SME [3] including employee numbers, turnover, and balance sheet statistics [5], which

2013 could be considered a turning point for European SMEs [1]. After years of an uncertain economic situation, 2013 is the first year with combined increase in employment and valueaddition in European SMEs. make an equal consideration possible. 2013 could be considered a turning point for European SMEs [1]. After years of an uncertain economic situation, 2013 is the first year with combined increase in employment and value-

Figure 1 shows the degree of recovery of SMEs from 2008 to 2013. addition in European SMEs. Figure 1 shows the degree of recovery of SMEs from 2008 to 2013.

have hit SMEs hard in the EU28 and the economic conditions remain difficult. Many of these companies are micro enterprises, have few resources, and difficulties in facing technological,

Generally, many SMEs are struggling to survive in an ongoing global recession and are often reluctant to release or pay for staff training. Research has highlighted the role of training and skills development on business success. However, in difficult times training budgets are often the first to be reduced or removed. This is often because owner/managers of SMEs do not have enough knowledge about the long-term value of training in sustaining competitive advantage

E-Learning has tried to address issues of time and cost in SMEs, by allowing employees to access learning resources remotely. The learning material is easy to keep updated; the trainers can integrate multimedia content which facilitates understanding and motivate the partici‐ pants, but this form of learning is not used efficiently in SMEs. Some disadvantages of E-Learning could be its weakness on scalability at the infrastructure level; inefficient utilization of resources during the night and holidays; cost related to computer maintenance, installation,

Cloud Computing offers many opportunities and can help companies improve their business

Marston et al. [2] define Cloud Computing as "an information technology service model where computing services (both hardware and software) are delivered on-demand to customers over

Agility, elastic scalability, low costs are some benefits of using Cloud Computing; data can be moved smoothly without boundaries. Cloud platforms are an alternative to traditional computer centers. Cloud can be viewed as being Education Software as a Service. The learning resources could be accessed anywhere and anytime, costs for software installation and maintenance are reduced, SMEs can pay by subscription based on usage of learning resources,

In addition to Cloud Computing, Scenario-based E-Learning introduces learners to real-life situations close to their business allowing them to gather skills or information for future use. There are many reasons why scenarios help to improve learners' engagement and motivation

In this chapter, learning methods and the use of blended learning and particularly E-Learning in European SMEs are described in part 1. The advantages of using Cloud Computing in E-Learning including models of cloud architectures for E-Learning are presented in part 2 and

Different countries and sectors define SMEs differently and there are many classifications for different fields [3] with regard to employment, sales, or investment [4]. So there is no common

Scenario-based E-Learning in part 3. In part 4, examples and conclusions are given.

economic, and financial changes.

etc.

and about suitable, efficient, and chip learning solutions.

482 E-Learning - Instructional Design, Organizational Strategy and Management

and technical support for individual software packages.

and use technology more efficiently also for E-Learning.

and to understand core concepts like the Cloud.

**2. SMEs in Europe**

a network in a self-service fashion, independent of device and location."

**Figure 1: SME degree of recovery from 2008 to 2013, value-addition and employment [1] Figure 1.** SME degree of recovery from 2008 to 2013, value-addition and employment [1]

It is known that the current business SME environments are characterized by increasing competition and the day-to-day pressure of running an efficient enterprise. Low demand for the goods and services, which SMEs produce, explains why the SMEs' performance did not reach previous values in some member states. It is known that the current business SME environments are characterized by increasing competition and the day-to-day pressure of running an efficient enterprise. Low demand for the goods and services, which SMEs produce, explains why the SMEs' performance did not reach previous values in some member states.

The most important SME sectors are the wholesale and retail sectors and the largest ones are manufacturing, construction, accommodation, and food. In 2013, positive growth was reported in business services, retail and wholesale trade; the construction industry has suffered severely. The most important SME sectors are the wholesale and retail sectors and the largest ones are manufacturing, construction, accommodation, and food. In 2013, positive growth was reported in business services, retail and wholesale trade; the construction industry has suffered severely.

Many SMEs are not in export-oriented sectors, particularly the micro and small enterprises. Generally, many SMEs are struggling to survive in an ongoing global recession and are often reluctant to release or pay for staff training which can improve staff competences and contribute to improve this situation. Many SMEs are not in export-oriented sectors, particularly the micro and small enterprises. Generally, many SMEs are struggling to survive in an ongoing global recession and are often reluctant to release or pay for staff training which can improve staff competences and con‐ tribute to improve this situation.

In all companies, also in SMEs, computing became more pervasive within the organization; the complexity of managing the whole infrastructure of heterogeneous information architectures and distributed data and software increases the costs for computing in organizations. For small and medium businesses with limited capital and cash flow, it is difficult to afford investments for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) infrastructure. So Cloud Computing promises to deliver all the functionality of existing In all companies, also in SMEs, computing became more pervasive within the organization; the complexity of managing the whole infrastructure of heterogeneous information architec‐ tures and distributed data and software increases the costs for computing in organizations. For small and medium businesses with limited capital and cash flow, it is difficult to afford investments for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) infrastructure. So Cloud Computing promises to deliver all the functionality of existing information technology services, reducing the upfront costs of computing that hinder many organizations in deploying new innovative IT services [6].
