The changes in economic development of different countries in recent decades are influenced by processes that have modified the ways and forms of doing business. While in the past, the emphasis was put on size of the company, currently its participation in various forms of network cooperation prevails. The following paper presents results of empirical research realized between the small and medium sized enterprises involved into entrepreneurs' networks. Research was conducted during the period 2014 -2015 in a frame of scientific research project VEGA 1/0381/13 and KEGA 001UCM-4/2016.The main aim of paper is to propose the basic model of network entrepreneurial cooperation in the conditions of the Slovak republic. The novelty of this paper is to mention the main steps that should be done by stakeholders, if they want to create successful network. The partial aims of this paper are: the evaluation of quantitative and qualitative conditions for networking and description of partial steps which lead to creation of network cooperation. Сelected quantitative methods were used (Localization coefficient with combination of BCG matrix). Qualitative conditions were evaluated through the results of questionnaire survey, which identified the entrepreneurs' suggestions for the business to be engaged into the network (by using Pearson chi-square, Kruskal Wallis and Median Tests).
The implementation of Industry 4.0 concept brings many risks mainly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The objective of the study is a diagnosis and comparison of the perception of selected risk issues connected with Industry 4.0 implementation
in Slovak and Polish SMEs, which have knowledge or experience with cluster cooperation. This category of SMEs is specific due to the fact,
that not all of the SMEs have experience with cluster cooperation or know this form of doing business. For this purpose, the questionnaire
survey of 787 respondents was conducted, focused on the risks of Industry 4.0 that are the most important for SMEs included in three categories:
technical readiness, risks of innovation and risks of information. The statistical analysis of the survey results with the application of
software STATISTICA and Social Science Statistics calculator leads to the conclusion that, except for the kind of risk of “New products and
services”, all the observed risks are perceived as higher by Slovak SMEs than by Polish SMEs. The novelty of this research and its contribution
to the body of knowledge lies in identification and evaluation of most important risks for specific group of SMEs related to Industry 4.0
implementation compared in two countries. The results of this research provide useful information for the practical fine-tuning of the policy
aimed at transfer to Industry 4.0 in specific field – cluster cooperation, depending on the size of the enterprise.
Small and medium enterprises carry out their activities in a dynamic environment that is affected by various processes that also impact their sustainability. The future has the companies that are able to respond promptly to the challenges and are able to exploit opportunities sufficiently. One form of modern entrepreneurship that could help SMEs' sustainability in this environment is the cluster cooperation. This form of entrepreneurship brings many positive effects, but is also affected by various risks. The main aim of this study is to assess the perception of selected business risks that have an impact on SMEs' engagement into cluster cooperation. Using the questionnaire surveys of 1004 SMEs the perception was evaluated with emphasis on the differences between micro-small-and medium sized enterprises. From the data obtained, the tendencies are exposed through the evaluation of following risk categories such as: Market risks, Relation risks, Common resources risks, Operational risks, and Competency risks being assigned by a particular risk indicator afterwards. The final evaluation being made upon all respondents' answers analysis has confirmed that the competition risk turned out to be the most important risk indicator.
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