SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES AS BASIC LINKS IN THE LOGISTIC CHAIN OF THE POLISH MARKET ECONOMY

Abstract

The participation of the SMEs sector in developed countries in the overall number of economic entities outreaches 99%. These enterprises employ 60–80% of the overall number of employees and their contribution in generating the national income is in the region of 60% to 90%. In the years 1996–2007 small and medium enterprises extended the scope and the level of services performed. The participation of retail and manufacturing enterprises decreased. The smallest enterprises were affected most by the changes. The situation of the sector of small and medium enterprises is differentiated not only by the ownership sector and type of conducted activity. Significant differences can be noted in the regional diffusion. SMEs can boast of a very high growth dynamics. Their role is growing in importance and they are becoming a driving wheel of the economy as well as limit the unemployment level.