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of the business environment was the search for less energy-intensiveproduction methods through new, more efficient production procedures. Inthis context, the economic world has undergone an incredible historicalacceleration in recent decades, which in a relatively short time has enabledthe emergence of unprecedented information and communicationtechnologies with many striking consequences. One of them is the gradualtransformation of the economy and society into smart, i.e. intelligent, digitalform. Technical progress since the second half of the 20th century hasalready replaced many hands in the production of products and services. Butin the current period, which is also called the beginning of the 4thtechnological revolution, intelligent technologies are also replacing humanbrains. Working with them requires a high level of digital skills and topexperts, both at the level of employees and managers. It can be assumed thatthese demands will become increasingly higher in line with the increasingspeed and scope of technological discoveries, as well as with the blurring ofdistinctions between the physical, digital, and biological spheres. Thedematerialisation of the economy is also related to the fact that more andmore microelectronic and information companies have been among the mostsuccessful companies in the world in recent years. Another sign of thisdematerialisation is the money we use: instead of paying with banknotes, wesend electronic orders. Financial relations have replaced informationtransactions. Thus, current money has an informational nature.%u25aa unprecedented increase in competition %u2013 the ability to face wider andmore intense competition has become an imperative for business survival.The expansion of competition is manifested by the fact that it no longeroperates only between enterprises producing the same products or services,but between all goods. The purchasing power of individuals has graduallyincreased to such an extent that the incomes left after providing for theirbasic needs is still higher and thus they can afford a more diverse range ofproducts: branded products, more sophisticated electronic devices, trips, andholidays abroad. The growing intensity of competition is reflected in the abilityof businesses to meet new consumer expectations. Consumers have becomemore demanding precisely because they are more sought after bycompetitors through more interesting prices, payment terms, serviceprovision, etc. Responding to consumers%u2019 new expectations in terms ofinnovation or the quality of consultation is a real imperative for businesses,which they reflect with a customer-oriented culture, by strengthening thequality of their services, while the know-how of their managers andemployees is crucial in this context. The increase in competition forces to sellcheaper, and therefore to produce with lower costs, comparable to third862 European Entrepreneurship