SMEs’ innovation approach in the Czech Republic

The paper focuses on innovative activities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Czech Republic. The results of the presented research and compilation of further surveys where the author of this article participated bring new insight into the SMEs’ manners in innovative doing, revealing the internal preferences, drivers and also constraints the small businesses have to deal with. The research concludes that SMEs are aware of the importance of innovation for business and competitiveness, but they approach innovation management and planning in a rather unsystematic waySignificant findings are also directed in the area of drivers (motives) for innovations, where customer preferences, availability of funding and competitors' actions prevailed. The paper also discusses institutional barriers with influence on SMEs' innovative activities, which seem to be considered as a significant constraint in the Czech Republic.