STRATEGIC DESIGN OF GROWTH PROCESSES IN BUSINESSES: A RESEARCH FOR SMEs IN THE CONTEXT OF RISK STRUCTURE AND PROFITABILITY RELATIONSHIP

This study aimed to analyze the risk structure of SMEs and their relationship with their profitability by examining the importance of strategic growth stages in the growth processes of SMEs in different sectors. A survey was conducted on 421 participants, consisting of partners and senior and middle-level managers of SMEs operating in Turkey, with a history of at least five years, and operating financially in the first quarter of 2024. A survey consisting of three sections: demographic characteristics, company structure, and growth strategies scale was used as a data collection tool. Default risk was low in the majority of companies in all sectors and was below 10% (p>0.05). Strengthening public and political relations, company acquisition, and measurement and evaluation strategies were statistically significantly higher in companies in other sectors (p