Innovativeness and the Development of Enterprise

Intensifying globalization processes and requirements of the sustainable environment, growing complexity or dynamics and discontinuity of changes occurring in the environment cause a situation in which contemporary companies face a necessity of a continuous adaptation to new challenges. It is indispensable for them to take up actions which will enable them to achieve a position that will let them function and develop and, first of all, effectively compete in the environment of global competition. This problem is of particular importance to small and medium-size enterprises which, having most frequently a limited potential, have to demonstrate a high level of openness to changes and a flexibility in their actions, so that they can cope with new challenges. The paper presents the results of empirical examinations carried out in order to identify the intensity of innovation activity in SMEs in Poland. The studies were done in 235 small and medium-size enterprises. While analysing the results, special attention was paid to factors determining the competitiveness of the enterprises in question and the learning methods used by these companies. Finally, the paper presents a list of recommendations for the enterprises, regarding the direction of changes which could start the processes of corporate learning, improve relationships with other business subjects in their environment, aiming at enhancing innovativeness and competitiveness of Polish small and medium-size enterprises. These recommendations may be helpful for entrepreneurs in different countries being on a similar level of economic development.