THE ROLE OF INSTITUTIONS AND EXTENSION IN ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREAS IN POLAND

The objective of the survey was to recognize institution and their role in enterprises development in rural areas. The research was carried out in northern and eastern parts of Poland. Particular attention was given to organisational and legal forms of rural enterprises, and the role of institutions in the process of enterprise development. At the outset, entrepreneurs indicated the territorial range of the activities being carried out. Respondents were asked to indicate institutions which had helped them run their enterprises and agricultural holdings. Moreover, entrepreneurs indicated the areas in which they wished to broaden their knowledge. Furthermore, entrepreneurs assessed the advice as well as the role of institutions as a source of entrepreneurship development. The research shows that rural entrepreneurs had been co-operating with more than 70 institutions, which indicates a wide range of advisory needs. The highest rating among respondents achieved the ARiMR (4 pts) and ODRs (3.2 pts). The advisory needs mainly included: profitability calculations (9.9%), identification of markets (8.4%), book-keeping (7.6%), and identification of contracting parties (2.2%). Most respondents assessed the advice as complete and good.