Iranian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Access to Standards: Policy Recommendations for Enabling SMEs toAchieve Benefit From Standards and Standardization

In today s dynamic economy, the importance of SMEs role in economic growth and job creation is undeniable.These organizations face many challenges that can impact their performance and growth potential. Governmentpolicies Making it easier to set up and grow a business recognize the importance of helping SMEs grow in orderto benefit the wider Iran economy. To achieve this, small businesses often need assistance to increase sales (andparticularly exports), to improve the skills of their staff and to innovate more effectively. Standards andstandardization can and should play a major role to help SMEs rise to these challenges. This research has beenconducted to deepen understanding of the needs of SMEs in relation to standardization and the benefits that canflow from an increased level of engagement between the NSB and SMEs to supporting innovation in Iran. Usingof a descriptive–exploratory methodology by means of combining qualitative and quantitative stages, weanalyzed the access of small and medium sized enterprises to standards, which located in Isfahan science andtechnology town. This analysis includes drawing a general outline of the status quo, determining the impacts onaccess to market and also presenting some policy recommendations for enabling SMEs to achieve benefit fromstandards and standardization.

Keywords:

standards , standardization , small and medium-sized enterprises , access to standards , policy recommendations