THE ENTREPRENEURIAL DETERMINANTS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF ENTERPRISES IN EMERGING EU ECONOMIES.

Purpose: This paper aims to assess the impact of entrepreneurial determinants on the sustainable development of enterprises in emerging EU economies from 2008 to 2020. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is empirical, and it consists of conceptual background, research methodology, research results, discussions, and conclusions. The survey covers the enterprise sector in Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Romania, and Hungary (emerging and developing economies in the EU). I used the correlations coefficients and the Ordinary Least Square Method to verify the strength and direction of influence of entrepreneurial determinants on the sustainable development of enterprises. Findings: In the analyzed countries, there is a diversified influence of individual entrepreneurial determinants on the sustainable development of enterprises, both in terms of direction and strength of influence. Research limitations/implications: The paper has serious limitations in selecting and integrating indicators for the research. Further research requires considering a larger group of determinants, not only strictly entrepreneurial factors. Practical implications: The analysis results indicate that entrepreneurial factors influence the sustainable development of the enterprise sector; therefore, the authorities should coordinate activities and initiatives related to sustainable development and entrepreneurship. Creating financial and non-financial incentives is necessary to run a sustainable business. Social implications: Sustainable development is crucial for the conditions and quality of life. Separating entrepreneurial factors and creating effective institutional support for business initiatives is crucial for sustainable development. Originality/value: A novelty in the paper is an attempt to isolate entrepreneurial determinants of the sustainable development of enterprises. The article is intended for a wide audience, theoreticians and practitioners interested in sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]