Sources and Methodologies for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Study in Brazil

This article uncovers relevant sources and methodologies to gather knowledge about micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in Brazil. To achieve its purpose, the text presents sources and methodologies. This type of study is relatively neglected concerning MSMEs. Until this moment, not much data has been reported about these companies’ categories, and even less in advanced research. Among the most significant data and methodology of addressing MSMEs in the country, the text highlights the surveys conducted by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (SEBRAE), and the international annual research Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) a study on the entrepreneurial activity, which Brazil is part for more than 20 years. The Brazilian institutions, as well as consulting for those companies, collect key data that posteriorly become research sources. Also, when explaining how institutions chose and treated the data, they own specific methodologies regarding those businesses in Brazil. The paper also points out the importance of constant law monitoring, adjustment, and technology incentives. This article's contribution is to present a research methodology on MSME in Brazil with relevant data.