Government financial support: does it improve the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in Lithuania

Abstract

This article explores the impact of government financial support on the financial performance and other indicators of small businesses in Lithuania. To achieve the objective of the paper both survey method and statistical analysis are used. Research results provide evidence that there exists a statistically significant relationship between the magnitude of financial support and the financial indicators of SMEs. The impact of financial support on business performance in selected areas is stronger with an increase in the size of SMEs. This paper contributes to a better understanding of what kind of financial support and what features of aid recipients make the financial support more effective in the context of Lithuania's specific business and institutional environment.