THE SPECIFICS OF ECO-INNOVATION PROCESS IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABILITY.

Green innovations are now very often inflected term. The company is aware of the necessity of their implementation, customers are calling for greener products, and companies are trying to implement environmentally friendly activities. Enterprises uphold the principles of environmentally suitable behavior, some of them are trying to use these approaches in production, others in most of their activities. Concept of innovation raises in many of us the idea of technological inventions that are the result of long efforts, activities and research work of scientists. However, innovation can be the result of operations of any enterprise, which was implemented in order to succeed in the market. These innovations can be oriented to products or business processes, or procedures, as well as marketing practices. The area of innovation is developed quite extensive, whether in Slovakia or abroad. The reason is the need for innovation in today's industry, and in all spheres of human activity, as well as customer requirements. The cooperation between enterprises of different industries is important in developing eco-innovations and may produce new, interesting and creative solutions. The partnership between companies from different industries allows access to new knowledge and its transmission creates fertile ground for innovation. Green innovations can take different forms; the main idea is, however, according to most authors, positive change for the environment. This change, whether in terms of products, processes or different business processes is now sorely needed. The paper deals with the innovation process and the implementation of innovative projects that focusing on eco-innovative products should meet certain criteria specific to green products. Whether it is the innovation of products, services or methods or processes, there is a need for the inclusion of specific requirements in the form of environmental benefits but implementation must be profitable for the companies to undertake this eco-innovation. Various approaches of eco-innovative projects can yield different results. The research carried out in Slovakia showed us a positive approach of Slovak SMEs to green innovations but the results show a relatively small percentage of the implementation of these innovations, despite many efforts. The reasons are mostly financial, personnel, legislative or resulting from the factors of the external environment that in Slovakia negatively affect businesses. Innovation as a stimulus of current economy and positive change in our society is that the economy needs, but conditions for SMEs are not appropriate and sufficient in order the innovative processes to be implemented in necessary and sufficient way. Another barrier in the development and implementation of innovations or green innovations is the lack of cooperation of subjects such as scientific and research institutions, universities with the business sector. Contribution seeks to outline possible solutions to these problems, which would strengthen the implementation success of eco-innovation processes in Slovakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]