EN
Two trends can be observed in the transformation processes of world economy. On the one hand, enterprises analyze their growth strategies on a global scale. Their interrelationships go far beyond national boundaries. We can, thus, speak about in ternationalization of economic exchange and emergence of partnership ties between multinational corporations. On the other hand, they are closely linked with the local environment creating local production systems. Hierarchical structures existing hitherto are replaced by network systems with many specializations and directions of development, which compose new territorial dynamics. Simultaneously, “globalization” and “ territorialization” of production are also pointed out. Two main phenomena characterize this process of transformations and exert a strong influence on behaviours and choices made by entrepreneurs. These arc decentralization of powers connected with a new logic of management and an important role and a strong influence exerted on restructuring processes by new technologies. Decentralization of powers accounts for a new role assigned to local self-governments, which, to an increasingly bigger degree, assume responsibility for local and regional development. 1 he governments of many countries are more and more convinced that these are local self-governments at different administrative levels (towns, districts, regions) which are an appropriate palce for the introduction of changes and especially those concerning the development and transfer of new technologies. New technologies are a challenge of our times. Technical progress has become today a primary factor stimulating and determining economic growth of leading countries in the world becoming also the main field of international rivalry.