Social Determinants of Conducting Innovative Business Activity in the Opinion of the Inhabitants of the Silesian Voivodeship (Poland)

Abstract

Abstract This article analyzes the results of social research on the determinants of decision-making in the field of running a business – especially the innovative one. The research was conducted on a sample of 400 inhabitants of the Silesian Voivodeship (Poland). The region of the Silesian Voivodeship is, in this respect, a specific region in Poland - highly urbanized, industrialized with a rich communication and transport infrastructure. The analyzed research was based on the results of a survey conducted using a questionnaire based on selected socio-demographic characteristics, considering the current distribution characterizing the inhabitants of the Silesian Voivodeship. Supporting factors and areas of expected support in starting a business activity were identified, as well as factors limiting the interest and readiness to start such activity. The results indicate that the main obstacles are the lack of financial support for starting, fear of risk, lack of access to information on the possibilities of financial support, frequent changes in legal regulations, lack of updating knowledge regarding the possibilities of financing and starting a business, lack of support in strengthening skills. in managing all areas of management of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. An interesting result with a sociological dimension is the support of family and relatives in terms of motivation to start a business.