摘要：The Croatian SMEs if, want to survive in the global economic environment, must necessary defi ne the areas in which can achieve the superior world results and on them base their complete business. Th e idea of specialization on the core competences of enterprise is demanding externalization of all wherein the SME does not possess the leading position on the market and at the same time focusing on that part of business in which SME is realizing the competitive advantage. Croatian SMEs need to develop and cultivate the collaborative connections with their partners and involve strategic linking and networking concept. Intellectual capital has become the dominant form of capital in the modern business and its recognition and development is required. The process of strategic linking and networking in Croatian SMEs is slow and followed by the strategic mistakes that are bringing the enterprises to the crisis and collapsing. The intensive use of the conception of strategic linking and networking in Croatian SMEs on the micro-level enables SMEs faster and painless transformation, while on the macro-level it would raise the competitiveness of whole Croatian economy. Th e purpose of this paper is: to unite and to expand the existing cognitions about the concept of strategic linking and networking, propose the universal model for the process of transformation of implementing the concept of strategic linking and networking in Croatian SMEs, and to point on the guidelines which should follow the processes of strategic linking and networking in Croatian SMEs in the future. Also, the aims of this paper are: by scientific and analytical methods to examine the application degree of the strategic linking and networking in the Croatian SMEs, formulate the results of investigation, indicate what the SMEs and entrepreneurs should undertake to prepare for strategic linking and networking or create the brand new virtual enterprise how they could succeed and advance themselves in the competitive business surroundings. The data that will be received from the surveys, the actual picture about the degree of usage of strategic linking and networking of Croatian SMEs will be fortified. The results of research will indicate on the preconditions which are necessary for the creation of strategic networks and virtual enterprises in Croatia. Moreover, the models that Croatian SMEs need to implement will be defined, if they want to follow current business and organizational conceptions. The SMEs that, for the assistance in the strategic linking and networking will apply results of this research, and engage the external consultants will faster and painless bear the organizational changes and easier adapt to the turbulent conditions, which are ruling in the global economy.
