Assessing the innovation potential of the furniture industry value chain in Bulgaria

The dynamic changes in the global environment have a strong impact on value chains in terms of both the economic and innovation performance of individual enterprises and the growth potential of the regions in which they are located. The main goal of the report is to analyse the innovation potential of furniture manufacturing companies in Bulgaria from the perspective of their global value chain (hereinafter GVC) participation. A review of the scientific literature is presented in the first part of the paper, where information regarding the current status, challenges, and opportunities for the innovativeness of the furniture industry is studied. In addition, factors related to the innovation potential of enterprises are outlined, which could have an impact on the GVC by strengthening and expanding their effect to gain new opportunities for national and regional competitiveness. Primary data analysis from a questionnaire survey among furniture manufacturing companies in Bulgaria is presented in the second part of the paper. Emphasis is put on the possibility for adaptation of the innovation potential of furniture manufacturers to the value chains and globalization. These analyses will serve as a basis for further studies on the link between innovativeness and GVC participation in forestry.