Industry 4.0 and related automation and digitization have a significant impact on competition between companies. They have to deal with the lack of financial resources to apply digital solutions in their businesses. In Slovakia, Industry 4.0 plays an important role, especially in the mechanical engineering industry (MEI). This paper aims to identify the groups of financial ratios that can be used to measure the financial performance of the companies operating in the Slovak MEI. From the whole MEI, we selected the 236 largest non-financial corporations whose ranking we obtained according to the amount of generated revenues in 2017. Using factor analysis, from eleven traditional financial ratios, we extracted four independent factors that measure liquidity (equity to liabilities ratio, quick ratio, debt ratio, net working capital to assets ratio, current ratio), profitability (return on sales, return on investments), indebtedness (financial leverage, debt to equity ratio), and activity (assets turnover, current assets turnover) of the company. Our analysis is an essential prerequisite for developing a realistic financial plan for companies operating in the MEI, especially when considering investments in new technologies related to Industry 4.0.

Objectives: The objective of the study is to advance the conceptualisation of social entrepreneurship and report the results of empirical research related to the identification of the architecture of the model of interorganisational collaboration for the growth of social entrepreneurship potential at the local level. Research Design and Methods: The research presented in the article is based on a case study performed on an example of the Polish institutional landscape. Multidimensional empirical research methodology was applied in the form of participant observation, analysis of focus group results and business modelling techniques. The literature review contains an analysis of reports from the area of social economy and related fields. Findings: The result of the conducted research is the discovery of primary dimensions of effective interorganisational cooperation in the form of an analogue-representational model. Implication/Recommendations: In the process of strengthening the potential of social entrepreneurship, the cooperation of actors from different organisational fields is a key factor. An appropriate level of social capital is an essential requirement for effective cooperation. Contribution/Value Added: The developed model of cooperation for social entrepreneurship is based on an initiative that is unique and innovative on a national scale and is the result of empirical research. It also seems that the approach presented may be universal and could be extrapolated to other regions and cultural contexts. Article Classification: Research article.

Face of social, economic, environmental challenges and proliferation of multi-crises - a development of social entrepreneurship, involvement and civic activism become very desirable. A need for interactions and cooperation between various groups of actors present in the local spaces is often seen as the contemporary paradigm. The aim of the study is to conceptualize the cooperation process between social enterprises and business. The presented results of empirical research constitute the basis for identifying potential areas of cooperation to increase the potential of social entrepreneurship. The research is based on a case study conducted in a local environment. Theoretical research was conducted using the deductive method. Empirical research methodology was used in the form of interviews and business modeling techniques. The phenomenon of cooperation was explored against the background of opportunities to develop social entrepreneurship, strengthen the potential of cooperating enterprises and achieve benefits for local communities. The result of the research is the discovery of the basic dimensions of practical and effective cooperation between social enterprises and business in the form of an analog-representational model. In the proposed research approach, mutual involvement in joint initiatives based on active involvement, lasting and interactive cooperation and sharing was considered crucial. The research covered the context of creating innovation potential, outsourcing services, implementing the common good and sharing resources. It seems that the presented approach may be universal and can be extrapolated to other regions and cultural contexts.