Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face a number of barriers to the development of their innovative activity which can be significantly reduced by the quality and availability of support provided by business environment institutions (Matejun 2015). This support is provided by means of the interaction of SMEs with the institutional sphere through the use of certain forms and instruments of assistance (North and Smallbone, 2006; Lundström &Stevenson, 2007; Niska & Vesala, 2013). The forms of support offered reflect certain groups of assistance solutions which include instruments of support usually in the form of commercial and non-commercial services provided by business environment institutions (Lundström & Stevenson, 2005; Matejun 2015). The business environment includes (Dominiak, 2013): (i) institutional infrastructure – including business environment institutions, (ii) business services – advisory, training, information and financial services, (iii) innovative environment – a set of innovation centers and R&D institutions along with their internal and external links, and (iv) climate favorable to economic activity. Enterprises that intend to introduce innovations and apply new technologies also need specialized support, which can be provided by the innovative environment.
The paper aims to analyze and evaluate the support offered bythe business environment institutions to improve the innovativeness of small and medium-sized enterprises in Poland. In order to meet the objective, an analysis of the current support offered by innovation centers and entrepreneurs' evaluation of the support provided was required. The analysis conducted used qualitative research carried out by means of individual in-depth interviews (IDI) among representatives of business environment institutions and entrepreneurs using services of the institutions surveyed.
The study shows that the role of business environment institutions in the development of innovative activity of small and medium-sized enterprises in the present conditions is small. This is a result of, on the one hand, little interest on the part of SMEs in the support offered by these institutions, and, on the other hand, the fact that frequently the services offered do not meet the needs of enterprises.
To improve the situation on the part of business environment institutions, it is necessary to update information on the scope of cooperation, undertake extensive promotional activities, adjust the offer to the needs of enterprises and expand cooperation, especially by providing financial support for enterprises.
