Growth Potential of Small Firms in Turkey: A Sociological Study of the OSTIM Industrial Estate in Ankara

The aim of this study is to examine the growth potential of small firms with special reference to the OSTİM industrial estate in Ankara. The study also attempts to explore the relationship between the socio-economic characteristics of small employers and small firms' growth potential by looking at factors such as new investment, employment creation, expansion of shop size, access to new markets and entrepreneurial skill. In addition, it tries to find out the relevance of the recent debates on small firms (such as post-Fordist interpretations and flexible specialization) and to explore whether the case of OSTİM confirms the reemergence of the small firm sector of the economy relating to the use of modern technology, flexible production techniques and design.