Innovativeness, a Focal Reference of Mountain Entrepreneurship in Construction. European Mountain Series Forecasting (9)

Mountain entrepreneurship in the European construction sector faces significant challenges, stemming from the natural, geographical, and economic difficulties of high-altitude areas, particularly in Southeastern Europe. This article investigates the dynamics of mountain construction enterprises and identifies the factors of sustainability, vulnerability, and competitiveness that influence their performance.The study is based on substantial quantitative analysis, applying ARIMA models to a set of economic indicators collected from European databases (Eurostat), complemented by a synthesis of relevant literature. The results highlight high levels of forecasting uncertainty, reflecting the inherent volatility of these regions and countries.Nevertheless, certain trends related to firm survival, their size, and their impact on employment can be anticipated. The study emphasizes the importance of political support, entrepreneurial education, and innovation in enhancing the resilience of mountain SMEs.The paper proposes an integrated approach combining public policies, infrastructure, education, and digitalization to transform the mountain construction sector into a viable pillar of sustainable local, regional, national, and European development.