Purpose – This study aims to focus on how SMEs have been researched in the first 12 years of the new millennium and published in JRME between 2000 and 2011. There have been many studies on how SME owner/managers do business, their decision-making processes and ways of delivering marketing activities, and many different methodologies have been used.
Design/methodology/approach – All of the papers published in JRME from 2000 to 2011 were analysed using content analysis with Nvivo 9 in relation to the SME definitions used, methodology employed, geographical coverage and the business sectors covered.
Findings – Within the context of a wider study of 14 international journals on small business and entrepreneurship, this paper presents the findings that have emerged from the JRME journal according to the SME definitions used, methodology employed, geographical coverage and the business sectors' covered.
Originality/value – This study provides some findings in relation to the variety of studies carried out and the research presented in the JRME over a 12-year period.