CLUSTER ANALYSIS OF EXPRESSION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHARACTERISTICS IN THE EU INNOVATIVE PROJECTS FOR SME’s AND KTU REGIONAL SCIENCE PARK

Abstract

The actuality of entrepreneurship induces important and profound research in this area. The questions of entrepreneurship expression are valuable for business practice defining the expressed characteristics of entrepreneurship. The empirical research presented in the article is based on theoretically defined characteristics of entrepreneurship expression in economic, managerial, social cohesion, and environmental activities in an enterprise.
The research problem of the article is expression of entrepreneurship characteristics and its peculiarities in the EU (European Union) innovative projects for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) and KTU Regional Science Park. The research is based on cluster analysis of entrepreneurship characteristics analysing projects’ content and interviewing enterprises of KTU Regional Science Park.
The made cluster analysis reveals the different clusters of entrepreneurship characteristics combining them as connected for some reasons and actuality in enterprises and projects. Researching the EU innovative projects for SMEs under the programme FP6 (2002-2006) two clusters were found. The first cluster is the cluster of entrepreneurial characteristics reflecting orientation to production. The second cluster is the cluster of entrepreneurial characteristics reflecting innovative orientation. The made cluster analysis allow make the assumptions that innovation and orientation to production are desirable in the activity of enterprises working by projects regime and expecting the support from the EU funds.
Researching the enterprises of KTU Regional Science Park three clusters were found. The first cluster is the cluster of modern managerial characteristics. The second cluster is the cluster of entrepreneurial characteristics reflecting orientation to society development and responsiveness to society. The third cluster is the cluster of entrepreneurial characteristics striving to be competitive and socially responsible. Such clusterisation of entrepreneurship characteristics expressing in the enterprises of KTU Regional Science Park reveals that social aspects and modern entrepreneurial management are the main accents of the expression of entrepreneurship in the park.
The fulfilled cluster analysis revealed that only part of theoretically grouped characteristics of entrepreneurship are expressing in practice by connecting with each other. The clusterisation allows make the assumptions on the orientation of activity in the researched enterprises.
The made research is valuable for entrepreneurial enterprises clarifying their activity priorities and for SMEs applying for the EU funds support. Also research results may be useful for enterprises valuating their activity from entrepreneurial viewpoint.