A study on the role of independent auditors in institutionalization of the SMEs: Manisa case

SMEs, which have great significance in our country's economy due to their contribution to employment, export and production, are bound to adapt to the rapidly changing and developing world trade. Relevant arrangements have been made regarding independent audit within certain criteria for SMEs by the new Turkish Commercial Code. Approach of SMEs within the Manisa province on independent audits, the institutionalization levels and the possible effects of independent audit on the level of institutionalization were researched in this study. Independent audit with the general outlines, the concept of SME, institutionalization and institutionalization of the SMEs were discussed in the first two parts of the study. Face to face survey technique, one of the qualitative research methods, was employed in the study. Furthermore, our study includes statistical findings as to the field research applied in Manisa province and the evaluation of these findings. Functional data were analyzed through utilization of One-Way ANOVA test, One-Sample t-test, Independent One-Sample t-test and chi-square test. The result of the study revealed the fact that the SMEs did not lean towards the idea of independent audit and therefore they did not believe that independent audit would have a positive effect on institutionalization.