Government Support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises: A Post-2020 Scoping Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53276/eligible.v5i1.124Keywords:
Government Support, Public Policy, Scoping Review, PRISMA-Scr, MSMEsAbstract
This study examines the government roles most needed to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the post-2020 policy environment, where firms face financing constraints, digital transformation demands, market-access barriers, regulatory burdens, and resilience challenges. The purpose of the research is to synthesize recent evidence and identify higher-order government functions that consistently contribute to MSME survival, improvement, and growth. Using a PRISMA-ScR-guided scoping review, the study screened and synthesized post-2020 journal literature through Scopus- and Web of Science-compatible search logic, verified publisher records, and retained forty original studies published between 2021 and 2025. The results show that government support converges into five interdependent roles: capital de-risking, capability building, market creation, rule-setting and local business environment formation, and shock absorption or transition stewardship. The review also finds that support is most effective when finance is combined with advisory services, digital capability development, simplified administration, and credible market-access channels. The implication is that MSME policy should be designed as an integrated, targeted, inclusive, and accountable support architecture rather than as separate policy instruments.
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