The article aims to identify, analyze, and quantify disparities in the impact of entrepreneurial risks on the future of small and medium-sized enterprises in the business environment of the Czech Republic in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was carried out on 814 SMEs in two phases. 454 SMEs participated in the first phase of the research, which took part before the COVID-19 pandemic. 360 SMEs took part in the second research phase during the pandemic. Statistical methods such as correlation analysis and linear regression modeling were applied to evaluate statistical hypotheses. The results yielded interesting findings. According to respondents, the three most significant business risks in the SME segment include market, financial, and personnel risk in the period before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurs saw the adequacy of sales and financial performance of the business as key determinants that impact the future of SMEs over a 5-year horizon. Conversely, during the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurs perceived the management of the company's personnel performance, financial performance, and ability to manage financial risk as determinants that affect the future of SMEs over five years. According to owners and top managers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the most significant factor is the adequacy of personnel risk in SMEs.On the one hand, the findings benefit the owners themselves and the top managers of SMEs. On the other hand, government institutions and organizations that decide on government measures promote a penetrating environment. Also, the non-profit sector (e.g. Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Crafts of the Czech Republic) assists SMEs in their edible activities and activities.
Professional manager conception in the Czech Republic
