A model for effective planning of SME support services

Area of Science:

• Business Administration
• Economic Development
• Public Policy

Background:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are crucial for economic growth but often face challenges accessing effective support services.
• Existing support planning processes may not adequately address the specific problems and needs of SMEs.
• A need exists to scrutinize and measure the suitability of support services for SMEs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and propose a model for effective planning of support services tailored to SMEs.
• To examine the alignment between existing support services and the identified problems and needs of SMEs.
• To investigate the relationship between the support provided to SMEs and their overall success.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted in 2013 involving 336 SMEs in Serbia to gather data on their needs and the support received.
• Five research questions were defined and analyzed to assess the consistency of support services with SME challenges and their impact on success.
• Statistical analysis was employed to determine the significance of the relationship between support services and SME outcomes.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant connection was identified between the support services provided to SMEs and their success.
• The survey data revealed specific areas where support services align or misalign with SME problems and needs.
• The findings underscore the importance of tailored support for SME development.

Conclusions:

• An eight-phase model for improving support service planning for SMEs has been proposed.
• The model aims to enhance SMEs' ability to plan their support requirements effectively.
• The model provides valuable insights for government bodies and support organizations to better understand and address SME needs.