A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND ITS IMPACT ON SMES DEVELOPMENT: A CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE BETWEEN IRAN AND SPAIN

Abstract

Effective strategic government communication can reduce information asymmetry, lower regulatory uncertainty, and enable SMEs to adopt innovative practices; yet, cross-country evidence on communication mechanisms and SME innovation outcomes remains limited. This study conducts a systematic review using the PRISMA 2020 protocol to compare strategic communication frameworks in Iran and Spain. We searched Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2000 and 2024, applying explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify 14 relevant sources. Five recurrent dimensions emerged: transparency, policy consistency, digital communication, funding support communication, and stakeholder engagement. Comparative analysis shows that Spain’s institutional trust, digital transparency, and stable policy messaging support SME innovation ecosystems, while Iran’s fragmented communication structures and regulatory uncertainty constrain SMEs’ innovation capacity despite extensive policy initiatives. The study contributes a multidimensional model linking strategic communication mechanisms to SME innovation outcomes and highlights the importance of institutional quality in shaping policy effectiveness and innovation behavior among SMEs.