Globalization and Bankruptcy of SMEs in Slovakia

Abstract

Research background: Globalization - the process of increasing social, cultural, political, and economic interdependence - has resulted in several changes in business environment. Global market opportunities and threats are major effects of globalization; they refer to the increases in market potential, trade and investment potential and resource accessibility. Global market threats refer to the increases in the number and level of competition, and the level of uncertainty. Global competitors can have the impact on bankruptcy of local SMEs in less developed or smaller countries. Are globalization in economics and company bankruptcy related? In the past, the cause of bankruptcy was mainly in the company itself. The development of globalization has brought a number of positive as well as a number of negative consequences for several areas of society. Is one of the negative effects of globalization the bankruptcy of companies? Purpose of the article: The paper presents a classification of external and internal causes of bankruptcy and indicators of the threat of company bankruptcy. The paper also focuses on the results of the research analysis about the causes of small and medium-sized enterprises mortality in Slovakia and the impact of globalization factors as the causes of their bankruptcy. The analysis of bankruptcies is oriented on the research of the causes of small and medium-sized enterprises mortality in Slovakia and the influence of globalization factors as the causality of their bankruptcy. Methods: The research sample presents structured interview with 16 SMEs´ owners. They identified more aspects of globalization impact to Slovak SMEs bankruptcy. Findings & Value added: The results of research indicate that there is an evidence of impact of globalization on the bankruptcy of SMEs in Slovakia, but there are some differences among various industries.