COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AND ITS IMPACT IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) (CASE OF ALBANIA)

Nowadays, the small and medium enterprises (SME) constitute a very important segment of the Albanian economy. The SME sector is the major drive which promotes the growth of jobs in a country’s economy. The development of the country is linked to the strengthening and enhancement of the private sector where SMEs play an important role. The growth of SME in services, agriculture, construction, and so on, has been considered as the engine growth and has contributed to the Albanian economy. Sustainable growth and the increase of SME competitiveness will provide the environment for investment and employment. The SME sector has grown rapidly over these 23 years of market economy. The main purpose of this paper is to emphasize the growing importance of the SME sustainable competitive advantage. This paper offers some guidelines for SMEs, in order to achieve competitive advantage. In a broader view, this paper will serve as an information source that will promote and orient SMEs towards competitive advantage. In this way, it will contribute to the continuous growth and dynamic development, as well as to the increase of the productivity and business competitiveness in Albania. Finally, this paper would provide some available conclusions and concrete recommendations.