Problems and tendencies in innovation activity of Slovakia's enterprises during the last decade : the need of innovation management

The present paper briefly characterizes main problems and trends in innovation activity of Slovak enterprises during 1990s. It is based on three questionnaire surveys (1990, 1996, 1998) in the sample of large and medium sized, mainly manufacturing companies. Even the last survey shows that internal and external barriers to innovation are still strong. Some improvement has been achieved in managers' awareness of the importance of innovation and necessity to create an internal climate supporting innovation and quality improvement.