Companies across Europe will be employing entrepreneurial, opportunistic tactics to get ahead in the coming year, according to research.

Companies across Europe will be employing entrepreneurial, opportunistic tactics to get ahead in the coming year, according to research among business leaders.

Eight out of ten European businesses expected to grow in the next 15 months are looking to take advantage of new markets beyond domestic borders, according to a study of 600 senior executives across 22 countries by accountancy network RSM International.

Only 19 per cent of respondents say they are taking a cautious and conservative approach to growth in the next 12 months, with the majority selecting entrepreneurialism, opportunism and ambition as the business ideologies with which they most closely identify.

Jean Stephens, CEO of RSM International, says, ‘The cautious, risk-averse approach we have seen from European businesses during the recession is being replaced by bolder, ambitious and entrepreneurial growth agendas. European companies are looking positively toward the future and showing a clear appetite for puruing growth opportunities, particularly in international markets.’

Entrepreneur Duncan Goose, founder and CEO of bottled water company One Water, comments, ‘Entrepreneurialism is important at every stage of a business life cycle, regardless of whether it is a start up or long-standing company.’