SME financing: a review of the literature

Abstract

The present study provides a systematic literature review of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) financing. The research strategy is to identify and reveal ambiguities, lacunas and inconsistencies in the literature, and provide roadmaps for further research. The research framework follows the tenets of the PRISMA Group (2009) and Tranfield et al. (2003) in organising the systematic literature review. The keyword searches yielded 72 papers and were analysed following the assessment of fit for this review with regard to reference list information, research layout and results. In spite of the contradictory findings, the reviewed articles suggest that SMEs financing deserves further research. Furthermore, the review found and analyses different types of determinants - banks' profitability determinants and determinants of banks' credit to SMEs. Further empirical research on banks' profitability determinants, determinants of banks' credit to SMEs and SMEs financing and banks' profitability are needed. The detail and all-inclusive review of the body of literatures on SMEs financing on banks' profitability is the key value of this paper.