Jakub Straka

Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic,

jakub.straka@mendelu.cz

IMPACT OF SMEs ON STANDARDS OF LIVING OF CZECH RURAL HOUSEHOLDS

Naďa Birčiaková

Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic,

nada.birciakova@mendelu.cz

Jana Stávková

Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic,

jana.stavkova@mendelu.cz

Abstract. This paper deals with an analysis of rural households' perception of their standards of living in context of SME in which they work. The results are based on a primary questionnaire survey conducted by authors among Czech rural households at the end of 2014. Household's subjective opinion on satisfaction with standards of living and SME's contribution to the positive development of its environment are analysed among households divided into groups according to the characteristics of SME in which the head of the household works. The paper points to correlation between SME's legal form and the distance from household's residence and SME's contribution to the development of its environment and also between SME's distance from household's residence and household’s satisfaction with standards of living. Findings of the paper help to deeper our knowledge about the connection between SMEs and rural standards of living. They would also help to understand which factors rural development policy should focus on in order to increase interest of population in rural areas or to avoid urbanization. Correlations between variables were analyzed using the method  of Pearson's Chi-squared test and Cramer's contingency coefficient using STATA software.

Received: June, 2015

1st Revision: October, 2015

Accepted: November, 2015

DOI: 10.14254/2071-789X.2015/8-4/4

JEL Classification: I310, R230

Keywords: SME,  rural,  households,  standards  of  living,  Czech Republic.