THE INFLUENCE OF COMPETITIVENESS ON START-UP IN SMES SEGMENT

The paper aims to identify important factors for competitiveness (CF - Competitive environment, FF - Narrower business environment), which impact start-up in a segment of SMEs. In regards to the defined aim, survey-based research was conducted with enterprises operating in the SME segment. Three 312 enterprises in the Czech Republic and 329 enterprises in the Slovak Republic were approached during this research. The multiple linear regression was used: (a) to quantify the relationship between the variables, (b) to identify the most critical indicator of QBE, and also to verify the scientific hypothesis. The competitive environment has a significant impact on the quality of the business environment in the SME segment. The authors found that the selected factors (CF and FF) were statistically significant. The competitive environment (CF) has a greater impact on the quality of the business environment than the narrower business environment (FF). Human capital represented by employees and the adequacy of supplier prices are indicators that have a significant impact on the quality of the business environment in the SME segment. The most critical CF indicator is that the suppliers of SMEs demand reasonable prices for their products and services. On the contrary, the least significant indicator is the intensity of competition in the sector. The most important indicator of a narrower business environment is the contribution of employees in achieving business goals. On the opposite, the least important indicator of a narrower business environment is the support of suppliers to meet the business goals of SMEs.