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trade. These not only influence business in Slovakia, but can also be used to
deduce similarities and differences between entrepreneurial characteristics of the
two countries and explain why certain phenomena occur. We further present
comparisons to European countries, to countries whose development is driven by
innovation (according to the World Economic Forum, Slovakia belongs to this
group in the period under review), and to the entire world. Key results for the
individual areas of research are presented in the following sections of this
summary, and are discussed in detail in the corresponding chapters of this book.
Potential of entrepreneurship, activity and aspirations of Slovak
entrepreneurs
Our analysis of GEM results suggests that the current state of
entrepreneurship in Slovakia can be briefly characterized, on the one hand, by
above-average entrepreneurial activity of our population in comparison to
countries that are our benchmarks, and, on the other hand, by an entrepreneurial
environment whose key characteristics are below-average. Such a state is clearly
unsustainable, and will be reflected in the gradual decline of the entrepreneurial
activity, which is already evident in the inter-annual comparison of 2012 and 2011.
These circumstances will also be reflected in the decline of the aspirations of our
entrepreneurs and the associated negative impact on economic growth and
development of the country.
Potential and intention to start a business
x
Entrepreneurial potential in Slovakia (measured by a combination of
knowledge, skills and opportunities) in 2012 has a downward year on year
trend, mainly due to the fact that Slovak individuals do not see enough
entrepreneurial opportunities. However, it can be stated that in the 2012 the
business potential became more balanced than in 2011, mainly due to positive
trends in certain components of social perception of entrepreneurship, such as
egalitarianism, social status of entrepreneurs, and media attention given to
successful entrepreneurs. On the other hand, there was a decline in the
confidence of the populace in terms of their ability to start a new business and
an increase in the fear of failure when starting a business. Although we are
above the European average according to a majority of indicators
characterizing the entrepreneurial potential, the risk factors for entrepreneurial
development in Slovakia include the inadequate perception of opportunities
and the negative trend in considering entrepreneurship as a viable career
option.
x
In Slovakia, the intention to start a business in the next three years significantly
decreased between 2011 and 2012 (from 17.8% to 11.8%). The 2012 percentage
is lowest among the V5 countries and, while higher than in Austria (9.0%), is
below the European average (13.8%). The declining trend in the intention to
start a business suggests a future decrease of entrepreneurial activity in