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acteristic (Mann-Whitney U Test, P=0.041, N=101). It can nevertheless be reasonably
assumed that large enterprises are more active in this regard.

Some of the interviewees pointed out that Slovenia is too slow, especially
at the beginning of the standard development process. But in developing a
completely new standard the window of opportunity for participation is still
narrowly open. Usually, Slovenia would join this process wishing to participate
some ten years after the opportunity was offered. Also, Slovenian companies
often have difficulties with participation of their stakeholders, even when they
express an interest. All too often, the reason why own standards are not being
developed is in stakeholders’ unwillingness to cover their share of costs.
It is therefore also a matter of stakeholders’ mentality, for example when
they are poorly informed about the sustainable development goals.

The interviewees had a completely different opinion about participation in
developing European and international standards. The companies ascribe
great importance to the fact that, being members of SIST they can participate
in European and international TCs, in which they have an equal vote with the
companies of other Member States. The companies are aware that this is an
opportunity offered to them to influence the development of a standard, and
also the possibility to have a rapid and direct insight into its contents, which
also means facilitation of preparations for the implementation.

These opportunities, however, do not apply to smaller enterprises who, despite
showing an interest, lack both financial resources and technically competent
human resources to be able to follow the standards development process, and
participate in it. Nevertheless, many a company has not shown such interest so far.
Obviously, there exist hitherto undisclosed reasons for such lack of participation.
There is reason to assume that poor information of companies so far is also a serious
ground for such conduct (see Chart 17 and Table 5). On the other hand, mention
should be made of companies which operate on the market as suppliers of foreign
customers, only adjusting themselves to them, and therefore having no interest to
participate in the above-mentioned standardization process.

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