Local small and medium practitioners and the demand for their dervices by local SMEs : an investigation

Abstract

Purpose - Although the local market for small and medium practitioner services is very active, no study has been undertaken to investigate the services provided by Maltese small and medium practitioners to local small and medium-sized entities. This study compares the services provided by local small and medium practitioners to the needs demanded by local small and medium-sized entities, and analyses the major issues present in the local market for small and medium practitioner services. Design - Primary data was collected using questionnaires as a quantitative research tool. This investigation entailed collecting data from both small and medium practitioners and small and medium-sized entities using separate questionnaires. Secondary data was gathered from papers, articles and interviews to obtain an understanding of the environment in which both parties operated. Findings - This study showed that local small and medium practitioners, irrespective of their size, offered a lot of services to their small and medium-sized clients. Besides, small and medium-sized entities replied that they did not obtain these services except for the traditional ones. Furthermore, this study also showed that the size of small and medium-sized entities affected the demand for certain small and medium practitioner services. Small and medium practitioners also emphasised that keeping up with new regulations is the most important challenge their practice is facing right now. Conclusions - Although small and medium practitioners provided various resources to their small and medium-sized clients, the latter were not fully aware of the services small and medium practitioners were actually providing them with. In addition, small and medium practitioners did their utmost in overcoming th more knowledgeable of the services they are being provided with from their respective small and medium practitioners. Local institutions should promote the role of the small and medium practitioners and provide more information to the general public about the services provided by small and medium practitioners.