Entrepreneurial public support mechanisms: developing a neo-institutional comprehensive evaluation scale

Entrepreneurial success is often evaluated based on financial metrics such as revenue growth, profitability, and market expansion. However, these indicators fail to capture the institutional and procedural dimensions of public support mechanisms that significantly shape entrepreneurial performance. This study aims to develop and validate the Entrepreneurial Public Support Mechanisms Evaluation Scale (EPSMES) as a comprehensive framework for assessing the effectiveness of public support mechanisms beyond economic outcomes. By integrating institutional, procedural, and policy-related factors, the EPSMES provides a systematic tool for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to evaluate and enhance entrepreneurship support programs. Following a six-phase scale development process, randomly selected small and medium enterprises (SMEs) participated in an online survey supported by the Small and Medium Industry Development and Support Organization (KOSGEB). The results from the final sample of 1,941 indicate a robust three-factor structure (application, assessment, and monitoring) and confirm the scale’s validity and reliability. The findings suggest that entrepreneurial public support mechanisms are influenced more by institutional experiences than by financial success alone. They also indicate that sector-specific policies yield better outcomes than generic approaches and that transparent and structured evaluation processes improve engagement and long-term impact. This study introduces a novel, policy-relevant tool for assessing and refining public support mechanisms. The EPSMES framework enables policymakers to design adaptive, fair, and impact-driven entrepreneurship policies, optimizing the allocation of public resources. By prioritizing institutional efficiency and procedural transparency, governments can enhance the effectiveness of entrepreneurial support programs, ultimately fostering greater innovation, economic resilience, and sustainable business ecosystems.