Challenges associated with the Greek SMEs in the basin of Athens-Greece: an exploratory study

Abstract

The paper attempts to identify the motivation for business ownership, the factors contributing to success and problem areas and developmental issues attached to entrepreneurship related to small medium enterprises (SMEs) particularly in Athens, Greece. The first phase of the study attempted to identify the problem areas of entrepreneurs by an extensive review of the existing literature. The second phase incorporated a ground survey with groups of entrepreneurs (n = 113) for assessing the factors related to entrepreneurship. The prime motives for starting a business were to increase income, to obtain job security, and to secure independence. The entrepreneurs identified problems in the areas of securing long term and short term finances for establishing and running SMEs, confusing and complex tax structure, too much competition, government bureaucracy, and a weak economy as major bottlenecks. The paper is an important study taken in the entrepreneurship context in Athens, Greece.