Analysis of the problems faced by SMEs in terms of enterprise functions and the impact on performance: The case of Tokat province

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have a significant place in the imporvement of economical and social development in Turkey and in the World. However, SMEs encounter many problems based on management, marketing, manufacturing, finance, human resources and accounting. The aim of this research is to determine the enterprise problems encountered by SMEs in Tokat having10 or more employees, who are considered to have important contributions to economic life, and to measure the impact of these problems on the performance of enterprises. Since the problems encountered are an obstacle to the growth of SMEs; identification of these problems and presenting the necessity of solution suggestions reveal the importance of this research. This research has three sections. In the first section, the informations about the definition of SMEs, the properties of SMEs and their importance and place in economies are given. In the second section, enterprise functions of them are introduced, the problems encountered in terms of enterprise functions are explained. In the third section of this study, survey is conducted in order to determine the problems based on enterprise functions faced by SMEs in the manufacturing industry and measure the effects of these problems on the business performance. In this study, information about demographic characteristics of enterprises, management, marketing, production, finance, human resources and accounting functions are given and the problems related to these functions are presented. Moreover, the effect of these problems on the performance of the enterprises is revealed. Within the scope of the management function, it is determined that SMEs experienced problems in planning, organization, orientation and supervision. Within the scope of enterprise functions, it is determined that they experienced problems in management, marketing, production, finance, human resources and accounting.