Structure of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Turkey and Global Competitiveness Strategies

Abstract

The effect of globalization on small and medium enterprises has received much more attention than the other enterprise types in international circles because the SMEs make significant contributions to the economy of both developing and developed countries. Financing obstacles in small firms are reported to have almost twice the effect as obstacles in large firms. In this regards one of the most viable strategies to achieve national development goals in both developing and developed nations is to promote SMEs. In this framework this study present the current state of SMEs in Turkey and investigate the global competitiveness strategies for them. The results of the study show that SMEs form 99,9% of the industry in Turkey however only 55% of the SMEs are operating in value added sectors. They need dedicated financial support programmes and policy initiatives for increasing their levels of global competitiveness. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.