Small businesses as a factor of economic development of rural areas

摘要

The paper presents the condition of small business in Dabrowa Tarnowska county in Malopolska province, and their share in the province's economy. The structure of small enterprises according to the pursued activities and the social and economic conditions of the operation of private businesses in rural environment have been also discussed. The authors draw attention to the need for granting institutional support to small businesses (through training, advisory services and market information) which would be possible in a self-governed county.