Targets also move dramatically over time. SME development policies in Western Europe, for example, focused on employment creation in the late 1980s and early 1990s. By the end of the century the emphasis had changed to international competitiveness and innovation. As a result, policy targets moved towards technology issues and creation of an enterprise culture. In transition economies a major focus has been upon creating an enabling environment for the market economy. Hence much of SME policy has targeted the building of an appropriate regulatory environment, privatisation and restructuring, development of the financial sector and mechanisms for private and public SME support
