Podmínky pro inovace u malých a středních podniků

The thesis deals with the influence of internal and external factors on the innovative behaviour of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The aim is to identify key factors influencing the innovative behaviour of SMEs and to assess their relevance and impact. The theoretical part of the thesis is focused on innovations, innovation process and the external and internal conditions for innovations. Corporate innovation strategy and interaction with customers were identified as the key factors. In the practical part of the thesis a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out on a purposively selected sample of innovative SMEs from the Czech Republic. The influence of barriers and external and internal factors on the innovation performance of SMEs was statistically analyzed. Testing of the influence of barriers on the innovation performance of SMEs discovered that the lack of foreign capital and insufficient readiness of employees to innovate are the most frequent factors inhibiting innovation in SMEs. Statistical sensitivity analysis of the survey results suggests that the most significant factors influencing the innovative behaviour were external, namely domestic and foreign competitors, suppliers and customers.