The role of small and medium-sized enterprises in the development of rural areas

Apart from the indisputable importance of SMEs to the national economy, they also provide social and economic benefits for regions they operate in. In this context, the rural areas seem to be interesting because currently there can be seen a reappraisal and emphasizing of their importance. Between 2015 and 2016 there were carried out surveys in two different regions (Hodonin and Holešov) in order to define the role of SMEs in rural areas. The aim of these surveys was to determine how the particular players of the regional development subjectively perceive the role of SMEs in rural areas, particularly how is the role subjectively perceived by SMEs themselves and also by local representatives in the given regions and how SMEs perceive doing business in such regions. The analysis of survey results together with the analysis of secondary data on the important characteristics of these two regions provided the basis for comparison of subjective perception of SMEs; economic and social benefits in these two different regions. According to our findings the role of SMEs in rural areas in the Czech Republic is determined by the creation of competitive environment, the deepening of ties between apprentices and practice, the use of local resources, the increase in rural area attractiveness, the financial benefits for municipalities, the creation of vacancies, the sustaining of positive relationships within the local community and the development of infrastructure.O