The purpose of this article is to determine the importance of the widely understood economic environment in increasing the competitiveness of enterprises through a literature review. It is important to recognize and understand how the economic environment determines the competitiveness of enterprises. According to the literature the economic environment is an important determinant of competitiveness, because has a definite impact on the activity carried out by the company. Each business entity is an open system, which means, that it still remains in interactions with the economic environment that stimulates its development. By acting in a stable economic environment, enterprises have the opportunity to grow and improve their competitive position both in relation to domestic and foreign entities.