Survival analysis: a case study of micro and small enterprises in Dolnośląskie and Opolskie Voivodship (Poland)

The aim of the study is to achieve initial recognition of the factors that determine the survival rate of Polish micro and small enterprises. The research, conducted in June 2011 and covering a sample of 147 entities, constitutes a pilot study. We explore the determinants of companies’ survival and test whether firms with different characteristics exhibit different performances in terms of the duration of survival. The results indicate substantial differences in the survival rates. The factors taken into account in this study, which to the greatest extent possible differentiates the whole sample in view of survival, are: running the business with employees or alone and specialist vs. popular activity as regards the required competences. Larger firms (with employees) are significantly less likely to close than smaller firms. Firms in highly competitive markets are more prone to closure.