Business owner and manager’s attitudes towards financial decision-making and strategic planning: Evidence from Croatian SMEs

Abstract

The main goal of the paper was to explore the attitude of business owners and managers in the small and medium sized companies (SMEs) in Croatia toward financial decision-making and strategic planning. In addition, it is attempted to identify managers’ styles and entrepreneurial skills, as well as the level of their financial knowledge. Data was gathered using online questionnaire method and analyzed with standard tools of descriptive statistics. The research sample consisted of 106 respondents from SMEs in Croatia (14% response rate). Research results reveal that business owners and managers are concerned about financial results but, unfortunately, do not influence the financial decision-making in all of its stages. The study could contribute to a better understanding of attitudes of Croatian SMEs business owners and managers toward financial decision-making and strategic planning.