Konkurencyjność sektora małych i średnich firm w Unii Europejskiej i w Polsce (ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem regionu łódzkiego)

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to search determinants and to define characteristics of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Poland against the backdrop of deepening and widening of the European integration process. Such firms are exposed to strong competitive pressures, when barriers to goods, services and capital movements disappear within the integrated area. At the end of 2001 almost 3.4 million enterprises were registered in Poland, of which 99.8% were SMEs. According to estimates, about 1.8 million of enterprises out of their total number are in fact economically active. Compared with 1990 the number of SMEs increased by almost 330%. The largest increment of new businesses took place among the smallest enterprises (and in that group in enterprises employing to 5 persons); the group of the medium-sized enterprises grew the least. In the years 1993-2000 the share of the SME sector in turnover from sales of products, goods and materials was steadily ascending in the whole economy. In 1993 it was 40%, in 1998 over 51%, and in 2000 about 64%. An average size of a Polish enterprise is smaller than in the EU, being 3.3 persons