In post-industrial society, there is an increase in the role of small business as an integral element of the reproduction process. The activities of small and medium-sized businesses in our country are carried out on the basis of the established global trends. Difficulties in the dynamics of this sphere are formed under the influence of increased concentration of production and consolidation of enterprises, which gives rise to a number of problems and contradictions. Considering small business as the most important component of the market economy, its role in solving the problems of creating a competitive environment and ensuring employment should be noted. The scientific literature on the problem under consideration shows the versatility in the authors’ views of the small business role in economic development. This problem is disclosed in sufficient detail in the works of foreign authors (M Weber, J. Gelbraith, P. Drucker, W. Sombart, R. Cantillon, R Coase, J. Keynes, K. Marx, A. Marshall, L. Mises, A. Smith, J. Schumpeter and others). In Russia, L. Abalkin, A. Anchishkin, K. Bazhenov, S. Witte, V. Inozemtsev, M. Lapusta, L. Slutsky, P. Stolypin, M. Tugan-Baranovsky, A. Chayanov and etc. considered this problem. The article reveals the role of small business in the Russian economy, as well as the problems and contradictions of its functioning. On the basis of a systematic analysis of the current trends, the problems, efficiency and significance of small business are identified. Research has shown that the role of small businesses is greatly exaggerated. Small business development acts as a factor in reducing unemployment. In the process of economic activity, a number of problems arise that the enterprises themselves cannot solve. A set of measures is required to support this activity and overcome the crisis. It is important that small and medium-sized enterprises can form their own accumulation fund, which can be used to adapt in the face of stagnation, which will increase the size of the labor force and labor productivity. The crisis of small and medium-sized businesses leads to a multiplier effect in the economy, which reduces the volume of GDP. As a result of the “concentration of capital” among large producers, smallscale production becomes unproductive and unprofitable. The opportunities for obtaining loans from small businesses are very limited. Modern high-tech productive equipment is not available to most. In many enterprises, there is no separation in order to save financial resources on wages. The social security of employees is low. The prosperity of any country in a post-industrial society depends on big business; small business is only an auxiliary sphere of activity. Relying on small business, it is impossible to improve the quality of life, to ensure economic growth and national security. The results of the study can be used in determining the strategic guidelines of economic policy and choosing development priorities.
THE ROLE OF SMALL BUSINESS WITHIN THE NATIONAL ECONOMY