Performance Measurement Systems: Approaches and Problems of SMES

The aim of the research was to evaluate the level of application of the performancemeasurement systems (PMS) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in Slovakia. Design/methodology/approach: We gathered the data by a questionnaire survey conducted in the2018. We analysed and evaluated the data using three nonparametric methods – Kruskal-Wallistest, Dunn's test and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Our sample consisted of 253 SMEsoperating in Slovakia. Within the framework of the theory, we tried to set the main problematicareas in SMEs by already published findings and then by comparing them to our results. Findings: The level of implementation of PMS in SMEs is still very low, although we could findsome positive and interesting improvements of SMEs towards the studied topic. In general, thereis insufficient number of complex PMS specifically designed for SMEs. Only a small number ofSMEs has experiences with PMS or specific tools designed for performance measurement andevaluation. The major reasons are linked to the understanding of importance and benefits of suchsystems, they have lack of knowledge and information about implementation and also lack of time,human, material and financial resources. Research/practical implications: Major outcomes of the paper are connected to identification ofreasons why SMEs do not apply PMS and also to identification of factors causing problems in thisarea in general for SMEs. We pointed out certain benefits that can help SMEs to improve theirperformance and competitiveness connected to performance measurement and evaluation. Ourrecommendations are also linked to the increase of interest and education of managers in this areaand to the development of more suitable approaches or specific tools that can better match theconditions of SMEs. Originality/value: We set the original research and present current findings on the approaches ofSMEs towards performance measurement in Slovakia with the intention to provide their managerswith suggestions for improvements.