Journal of Research in International Business and Management

An analysis of the impact of targeted government support on SMEs growth and development in Zimbabwe: a survey of Mashonaland Central Province

Abstract

Nelson Maseko, Onias Manyani, Lloyd Chiriseri1, Steven Tsekea, Paison C. Mugogo, Tendai Chazuza, Margaret Mutengezanwa

This paper sought to analyze the impact of targeted government support on SMEs growth and development in Zimbabwe. The research focused on SMEs operating in the Province of Mashonaland Central and governmental institutions that are involved in advancing targeted government support to SMEs in the province. The survey research design was used. A target population of 200 SMEs was used as a sample in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from owner-managers in SMEs. Interviews with officials from the governmental institutions were used to gather qualitative data. The study concluded that government targeted support advanced to SMEs is effective in bringing about growth and development in this sector. The study also concluded that the forms of targeted support to SMEs are not complete enough to transform SMEs operations into viable businesses that can compete in the global marketplace. The study recommended that SMEs do not only need financial support from government but also need support in research, quality assurance, marketing, financial management and technology. Further, the study recommended the decentralization of operations of support institutions in order to reach SMEs operating in remote areas of the country.

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