HOW NOT TO LOSE VALUABLE KNOW-HOW IN AN INDUSTRY?

Abstract

Summary. Know-how belongs to the intangible assets of enterprises. They are defined as information consisting of verified in practice technical knowledge and skills in goods trade (which are not covered by patents) allowing the entrepreneur to achieve a competitive advantage. Intangible assets are currently the key resource of enterprises, within which innovative competencies are included. They are not visible in the balance sheets of companies, they do not grow in proportion to property investments and do not yield to ownership. They have a spatial dimension of a special character, and they create the intellectual capital of the organisation, which along with the acquired knowledge, using active growth factors, can gain the ability to process innovations and act towards the development of the organisation. However, this is not always the case, hence, the attempt to answer the question of how not to lose valuable know-how in an industry. The conducted surveys among enterprises providing services for the industry have shown that they have innovative potential. This means that not only the industry and its development may affect the service sector and its performance, but the reverse - the service sector may influence the demand of the industrial sector. The article presents the potential for innovation growth with the employees’ own knowledge.