Abstract:

Some countries, including Turkey, are evaluated in the Developing Economies Category due to their macroeconomic similarities. However, each country in this category has its own economic structural features and these features create very different economic effects. Based on the outputs of the study; It has been revealed that macroeconomic indicators such as imported input rate, inflation level, exchange rate level, value-added production, political stability, which shape the structure of the Turkish economy, affect the international competitiveness of SME. Pupose: In this study, the effects of the structural features of the Turkish economy were evaluated on the global competitiveness of SME. Method: Questionnaire method, one of the primary data sources, was used in our research. In this context, the questionnaire created with the likert scale was applied to 113 foreign trade companies in order to reveal the competitiveness of SME. Findings: In order to increase the competitiveness of SME; It is necessary to reduce the high dependence on imported inputs, increase the production of value-added products, and diversify export products and export markets. One of the most important factors in competitiveness is access to finance. For this, it is necessary to establish predictability and prevent fluctuations in the exchange rate-interest-inflation trio. Finally, in economic cooperations such as the Customs Union with other countries, it is necessary to prevent the practices that are obligatory to be followed even though they negatively affect competitiveness. Originality: There are many scientific studies in the literature that reveal the macro-scale effects of the structural features or structural problems of the Turkish economy. However, for the first time in this study, the effects of these structural features on SME’s competitiveness on a micro scale have been comprehensively addressed and determined.

Keywords: