KEY FACTORS DETERMINING INNOVATION ACTIVITIES IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN SLOVAKIA

Strategic answer to all challenges resulting from changes in global business environment can be only development of economy based on knowledges, innovations and educated people. Innovations have become very important determinant of successful development of every firm. With the development of innovation activities in all types of enterprises it is evident the growing role of innovations also in small and medium enterprises (SME). Many examples confirm, that SME create a larger space for innovation. In spite of all above mentioned advantages, SME have also some handicaps. To strenghten innovation activities is therefore one of the main task of SME nowadys. The aim of the article is to analyze innovation activities in SME sector in Slovakia, to identify the main factors determining their innovation activities and to formulate basic preconditions (internal and external) of successful development of innovation activities in SME in Slovakia.