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

Year 2026, Volume: 13 Issue: 1, 43 - 61, 26.03.2026

Masum Yılmaz , Arif Güller

https://doi.org/10.48064/equinox.1871583

https://izlik.org/JA32FR42CM

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

https://izlik.org/JA32FR42CM

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

References

• Ayyagari, M., Beck, T., & Demirgüç-Kunt, A. (2007). Small and medium enterprises across the globe. Small Business Economics, 29(4), 415–434. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-006-9002-5.
• Beck, T., Demirgüç-Kunt, A., & Levine, R. (2005). SMEs, growth, and poverty: Cross-country evidence. Journal of Economic Growth, 10(3), 199–229. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10887-005-3533-5.
• Berisha, G., & Pula, J. S. (2015). Defining small and medium enterprises: A critical review. Academic Journal of Business, Administration, Law and Social Sciences, 1(1), 17–28.
• Birch, D. L. (1979). The job generation process. Cambridge, MA: MIT Program on Neighborhood and Regional Change.
• Choi, J.-U., Lee, C.-Y., & Lee, J.-H. (2024). Does government support make small and medium-sized enterprises reluctant to grow? Evidence from South Korea. *Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, 29*(2), 668–692. https://doi.org/10.1080/13547860.2022.2039505.
• Coad, A. (2009). The growth of firms: A survey of theories and empirical evidence. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
• Cohen, E. (1995). France: National champions in search of a mission. In J. Hayward (Ed.), Industrial enterprise and European integration: From national to international champions in Western Europe (pp. 97–113). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
• Doh, S., & Kim, B. (2014). Government support for SME innovations in the regional industries: The case of government financial support program in South Korea. *Research Policy, 43*(9), 1557–1569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2014.05.001.
• European Commission. (2023). Annual report on European SMEs. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.
• European Innovation Council. (2023). EIC Accelerator – Funding & tenders. Retrieved from https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-accelerator_en.
• EU SME Centre. (2025). SME Policy Environment Report: 2025 update. EU SME Centre. Retrieved from https://www.eusmecentre.org.cn/publications/sme-policy-environment-report-2025-update/.
• Geroski, P. A., Mata, J., & Portugal, P. (2010). Founding conditions and the survival of new firms. Strategic Management Journal, 31(5), 510–529. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.823.
• Gibrat, R. (1931). Les inégalités économiques. Paris: Recueil Sirey.
• Gou, Q., Huang, Y., & Xu, J. (2018). Does ownership matter in banking credit allocation in China? European Journal of Finance, 24(16), 1409–1427. https://doi.org/10.1080/1351847X.2016.1190391.
• Mead, D. C., & Liedholm, C. (1998). The dynamics of micro and small enterprises in developing countries. World Development, 26(1), 61–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-750X(97)10010-9.
• Meidner, R. (1993). Why did the Swedish model fail? In R. Miliband & L. Panitch (Eds.), Real problems, false solutions (pp. 103–117). London, UK: Merlin Press.
• Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China. (2021). China’s tax and fee cuts. Retrieved from https://www.mof.gov.cn.
• National Bureau of Statistics of China. (2021). China statistical yearbook 2021. Retrieved from http://www.stats.gov.cn.
• Nguyen, D. C., & Nguyen, T. K. T. (2017). Southeast Asian SMEs and regional economic integration. Journal of Southeast Asian Economies, 34(1), 118–147.
• Nichter, S., & Goldmark, L. (2009). Small firm growth in developing countries. World Development, 37(9), 1453–1464.
• OECD. (2004). OECD SME and entrepreneurship outlook. OECD Publishing.
• OECD. (2005). OECD SME and entrepreneurship outlook. OECD Publishing.
• OECD. (2019). SMEs and entrepreneurship outlook. OECD Publishing.
• OECD. (2020). Financing SMEs and entrepreneurs 2020: An OECD scoreboard. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/061fe03d-en.
• OECD. (2021a). Innovation in Southeast Asia: The case of Vietnam. Paris: OECD Publishing.
• OECD. (2021b). SMEs and entrepreneurship outlook. OECD Publishing.
• OECD. (2023a). SMEs and entrepreneurship outlook. Paris: OECD Publishing.
• Penrose, E. T. (1959). The theory of the growth of the firm. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Piore, M. J., & Sabel, C. F. (1984). The second industrial divide. New York: Basic Books.
• Porter, M. E. (2000). Location, competition, and economic development: Local clusters in a global economy. Economic Development Quarterly, 14(1), 15–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/089124240001400105.
• T.C. Resmî Gazete. (2025, 7 Ağustos). Küçük ve orta büyüklükteki işletmelerin tanımı, nitelikleri ve sınıflandırılması hakkında yönetmelikte değişiklik yapılmasına dair yönetmelik. https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/.
• SBA. (2022). Table of small business size standards matched to North American Industry Classification System codes. Washington, DC: U.S. Small Business Administration. Retrieved from https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/202306/Table%20of%20Size%20Standards_Effective%20March%2017%2C%202023.pdf.
• Shen, Y., Shen, M., Xu, Z., & Bai, Y. (2009). Bank size and SME lending: Evidence from China. World Development, 37(4), 800–811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2008.07.014.
• Storey, D. J. (1994). Understanding the small business sector. London: Routledge.
• Streeck, W. (1996). Lean production in the German automobile industry: A test case for convergence theory. In S. Berger & R. Dore (Eds.), National diversity and global capitalism (pp. 123–145). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
• U.S. Small Business Administration. (2023). SBIR and STTR programs. Retrieved from https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/innovation-research-programs.
• World Bank. (2023). Small and medium enterprise finance in China. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org.
• Zhou, H., & de Wit, G. (2009). Determinants and dimensions of firm growth. SCALES EIM Research Reports (H200903).