Modern management techniques among SMEs: A research for Van Organized Industrial Zone

SMEs are the leading actors of the economy in Turkey. The transformation of world economies into an open system instead of introverted and statist structures has led to an increase in globalization. The increasing competition and rapidly developing technology brought about by this have had an impact on SMEs. In order to survive, businesses have to change their management techniques as well as their production methods. They have to choose and apply the most suitable modern management techniques for the business. In this study, the application of modern management techniques in SMEs has been examined within the framework of the Van Organized Industrial Zone example. The point of view and application situations of SMEs on modern management techniques are presented. For this, the survey technique and interview technique were applied. In the analysis made on 85 returned questionnaires, SMEs operating in Van OIZ use three of the modern management techniques (learning organizations, personnel empowerment and green management) at a high level (70% and above). They use five modern management techniques (crisis management, strategic partnership, total quality management, business process review and benchmarking) at medium level (between 36% and 69%), and lean management, outsourcing and organizational downsizing methods from modern management techniques at low level. level (up to 35%).