An Analysis of SME Definitions and Support Policies: Evidence from the EU, USA, East Asia, and Turkey

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute the backbone of both developed and developing economies by contributing significantly to employment, production, innovation, and regional development. Despite their central economic role, there is no universally accepted definition of SMEs, and support mechanisms targeting these firms vary considerably across countries. This study aims to comparatively analyze SME definitions, classification criteria, and support policy frameworks across selected economies, namely the European Union, the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Turkey. Using a qualitative comparative policy analysis approach, the study examines how differences in SME definitions and institutional support systems shape policy design and implementation outcomes. The findings reveal that while employment size remains the most common criterion in SME definitions, financial thresholds and sector-specific classifications differ substantially. Moreover, countries with well-institutionalized and diversified support mechanisms tend to exhibit stronger SME performance in terms of employment generation and innovation capacity. The study concludes that policy coherence, institutional coordination, and context-specific SME definitions are critical for enhancing the effectiveness of support programs, particularly in developing economies such as Turkey.

Keywords

• SME
• SME Definitions
• Support Policies
• Comperative Analysis
• Economic Development

KOBİ Tanımları ve Destek Politikalarının İncelenmesi: AB, ABD, Doğu Asya ve Türkiye

Abstract

Küçük ve orta büyüklükteki işletmeler (KOBİ’ler), istihdam, üretim, yenilik ve bölgesel kalkınmaya sağladıkları katkılar nedeniyle hem gelişmiş hem de gelişmekte olan ülkelerin ekonomik yapılarında merkezi bir konuma sahiptir. Buna karşın, KOBİ’lerin tanımlanması ve desteklenmesine yönelik politikalar ülkeler arasında önemli farklılıklar göstermektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Avrupa Birliği, Amerika Birleşik Devletleri, Çin, Japonya, Güney Kore, Vietnam ve Türkiye’deki KOBİ tanımlarını ve destek politikalarını karşılaştırmalı olarak incelemektir. Çalışmada nitel karşılaştırmalı politika analizi yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, KOBİ tanımlarında çalışan sayısının ortak bir ölçüt olmasına rağmen, finansal eşik değerler ve sektörel sınıflandırmaların ülkeden ülkeye önemli ölçüde değiştiğini göstermektedir. Ayrıca, kurumsallaşmış ve çeşitlendirilmiş destek mekanizmalarına sahip ülkelerde KOBİ’lerin istihdam ve yenilik performanslarının daha güçlü olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Çalışma, özellikle Türkiye gibi gelişmekte olan ekonomilerde politika uyumu ve kurumsal koordinasyonun KOBİ desteklerinin etkinliği açısından kritik öneme sahip olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

• KOBİ
• KOBİ Tanımı
• Destek Politikaları
• Karşılaştırmalı Analiz
• Ekonomik Kalkınma

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