This report examines how more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could experience wider success by adopting some of the practices of businesses with higher growth ambitions. In doing so it also explores the potential for a larger proportion of the global SME population to achieve increased productivity gains, turnover and job generation. For the purposes of this research, ACCA defines SMEs as businesses with fewer than 250 employees. This report is part of an ongoing research programme ACCA is undertaking examining different areas of SME growth. 

The purpose of this research is therefore to consider how all SMEs understand, interact with and experience growth as well as how more businesses can adopt relevant practices that contribute to growth. This would enable more SMEs to experience stronger productivity gains and scale-up successfully themselves.