This article develops an economic and financial typology of industrial small and medium-sized enterprises on the basis of a regional sample observed over the period 1971–1975. Using multiple indicators related to growth, profitability, liquidity, financing structure, and investment, the study combines factor analysis and hierarchical classification to distinguish several profiles of firms. The paper shows that industrial SMEs do not form a homogeneous group: some display strong performance and sound financial balance, whereas others combine weak growth, low profitability, and heavy debt burdens. The typology is presented as a tool for better understanding enterprise behavior and for designing more appropriate support policies.
Najib Ibnabdeljalil (Sun,) studied this question.