Title: The measurement of SMEs performance: a simplified perspective

Authors: Humberto Ramirez; Thien Sang Lim

Addresses: Universiti Malaysia Sabah, House 3, Lorong Pokok Merbau 2, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia ' Universiti Malaysia Sabah, House 3, Lorong Pokok Merbau 2, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract: Performance is the quintessential dependent variable in empirical studies analysing the impact of different drivers on the final output of SMEs. Its adequate measurement is essential to avoid conflicting results and to ensure connection with the research context. Yet, there is a remarkable lack of consistency in the measurement of the variable, despite the vast presence of theoretical procedures and frameworks. This study aims at supplying a simplified perspective for measuring the performance of small companies. The integration of 111 empirical articles categorises performance measurement into two symmetric dimensions and identifies five simplified measures and combinations. These indicators constitute a simpler yet comprehensive view that can be used in future empirical research to measure SMEs performance. The proposed perspective advances the conceptual measurement of the performance of SMEs and provides recommendations for further research.

Keywords: performance measurement; SMEs performance; simplified measurement; conceptualisation of performance; measurement framework; conceptual research; methodology; research design; literature review; operationalisation; measures; small and medium-sized enterprises; SMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBPM.2025.149012

International Journal of Business Performance Management, 2025 Vol.26 No.6, pp.795 - 817

Accepted: 07 Feb 2024
Published online: 08 Oct 2025 *

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