Cross-Border Relationships of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses - Landscape Modelling: Geographical Space, Transformation and Future Scenarios - page 63

Table 5.10 Sources of information for the planned cooperation

Czech businesses German businesses

Number Ratio in % Number Ratio in %

Office of the Euroregion Elbe/Labe 1 6.7 4 8.3

Chambers of commerce and
industry/chambers of skilled crafts and
small businesses

5 33.3 6 12.5

Institutes for Economic Development 0 0.0 6 12.5

Public authorities 0 0.0 2 4.2

Associations 0 0.0 3 6.3

Media (television, magazines etc.) 0 0.0 2 4.2

Direct contacts via internet platforms 4 26.7 4 8.3

Fairs/events 2 13.3 13 27.1

Private contacts 3 20.0 5 10.4

Private Consulting offices 0.0 0.0 2 4.2

Other 0 0.0 1 2.1

Total 15 100.0 48 100.0

a Multiple answers possible

has had a clear impact, as has a lack of appropriate partner companies. German
companies expect language will be a barrier and are wary that they may have to put
in a lot of effort for very little benefit.
A wide variety of sources of information are available to German companies
(compared to companies with existing relationships). Czech companies have limited
resources regarding accessing information (see Table 5.10). More preparation time
for German companies could be crucial in this case.

5.3.3 Businesses Refusing to Build Cross-Border Cooperation

Table 5.11 is interesting because two thirds of the German companies polled refuse
to collaborate across borders but do support the idea. Czech companies are very

Table 5.11 Willingness to cooperate cross-border

Czech businesses German businesses

Impacts Number Ratio in % Number Ratio in %

Yes 6 20.0 20 66.7

No 1 3.3 1 3.3

Not applicable for me 9 30.0 5 16.7

I don't know 14 46.7 4 13.3

Total 30 100.0 30 100.0