DOI - Vydavatelství Mendelovy univerzity v Brně

Identifikátory DOI

DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-082-5-0246

Mapping the Innovation Capabilities of SMEs in Rural Areas Based on Community- Led Local Development Support

Jindra Peterková ORCID...1, Veronika Volfová ORCID...2, ©tefan Kolumber1, Nora Grisáková ORCID...2
1 Moravian Business College Olomouc, Department of Business Economics and Entrepreneurship, tř. Kosmonautů 1288/1, 779 00 Olomouc, Czech Republic
2 University of Economics in Bratislava, Faculty of Business Management, Dolnozemská cesta 1/b, 852 35 Bratislava 5, Slovak Republic

Innovations provide businesses with opportunities for growth and increased competitiveness. However, SMEs operating in rural areas are often less innovative due to limited financial and human resources. Supporting the innovation capabilities of these enterprises is therefore crucial, as it strengthens their technological level and long-term viability in relevant markets. To this end, the Technologies for SME-CLLD call was launched under the Operational Programme Technology and Applications for Competitiveness 2021–2027. The call supports SMEs in acquiring new machinery, technological equipment, software solutions, IT infrastructure, and related services. These investments aim to promote digitalization and automation of production, streamline service delivery, or create the necessary conditions for such improvements. The specific focus of the call targets innovation implementation and the development of innovative potential in SMEs. In the Czech Republic, Local Action Groups (LAGs), which are key actors in community-led rural development, play a significant role in fostering these innovation capabilities. The aim of this paper is to use an empirical survey conducted through the national network of Czech LAGs to map the innovation capacity of rural SMEs implementing projects under the Technologies for SME-CLLD call, and to determine the structure of supported projects according to CZ-NACE classification, substantive focus, and project activities. The collected data will be evaluated using descriptive statistics.

Klíčová slova: Innovation Capabilities, Small and Medium Enterprises, Rural Areas, Community-Led Local Development

stránky: 246-250, online: 2026



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