Assessment of the state administration effectiveness in the field of small business control in Slovakia

The agenda of small business in Slovakia is administered by state administration - district offices which registry and also control the entrepreneurs. The control units in the period 2008-2011 and its evaluation in terms of efficiency were the objects of the research. A comparative analysis was focused on the number of inspections carried out by inspectors at registered enterprises and the number of fines imposed by law established methods (penalties in block proceedings and fines on the basis of a decision to impose fine). Comparison was made to the NUTS 3 level, and in different regions of Slovakia. The assessment was based on the number of inspections and fines imposed on the incumbent entrepreneur in the respective region and the number of controls per 1 inspector. The result of the research is to evaluate the effectiveness of control activities of units within the NUTS 3. The average proportion of registered enterprises inspections in 2012 was 3.98% (SR). The base index of the average share of inspected enterprises in the period between the year 2008 and 2012 shows a value 0.75, which indicates a decrease in the proportion of subjects controlled by 25%. The results of the research show that the control units should increase the proportion of screened subjects, revise the amount of the fines imposed and the ability to enforce compliance with the obligations under the Act on small business No. 455/1991 Coll. (Small business law) and special rules. To achieve the increase of effectiveness of inspectors, its recommended to innovate their temporal and territorial flexibility.