ISBN 978-81-907596-3-2

Pages: 395

Price: Rs.995/-(India) ; US $ 95 (Overseas)

 

What it is? How will it Benefit You? 

MSMEs: Past, Present Future 

A phenomenon of slow -down  in the economy has been felt in India, though confined to some sectors, since mid-2008.  Since this behaviour of the economy is against the backdrop of a global experience of recession, a general perception of recession has become the subject of popular media in India as well.  The real state of India’s micro,small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector during the more recent period, however, is more complex than what  many have tried to explain.   This sector is much less visible in policy platforms.  It is against this complex reality that ISED Small Enterprise Observatory (ISED-SEO), a specialized platform in the Institute of Small Enterprises and Development, has come out with its annual scan of developments in India, of course, against a solid backdrop of global developments.  This is the only analytical document of its kind in the country, something which enthusiasts on MSMEs should not miss.     

Analysis, Perspectives, Directions

   The decisions and activities of millions of actors shape the economy what its. By a simple extension of this logic, the shape of the world economy is decided by such decisions where the nation state itself is a distinct entity. Irrespective of the country where they are located, MSMEs share some common characterstics, which demand a set of conditions for their sustenance and growth.

   The world economy is in a deep crisis today. Naturally, the MSMEs also, as economic actors, respond to such crisis in different degrees. Public policy, given the underlying social processes and imperatives, respond to changes in the economy, and tries to influence them. The net output of all these, at particular points of time, is a moving picture: the comparative statics of this sector. That is what this Sector Report provides.

   MSMEs in India, as in 2009-10, have performed against the above global experience. Governments, in most countries of the world,  responded to the more recent global crisis in the form of SME-specific packages, and temporary safety nets for employees. Indian economy was much less affected, and hence, unlike the rest of the world, the public policy response was essentially in the form of pump-priming and easing of regulations.

       Public programmes for SMEs in India did not witness any major changes in 2009-10. However, though dealing with the thorny problem of credit needed rather an out-of the-box thinking, it did not happen much. The financial sector beefed up its regime and strategies, from the twin angle of saving the banking system, and ensuring their profitability. The thrust on financial inclusion was re emphasized by the Central Bank.

   This Report highlights on India’s unutilised potential relating to MSMEs: First, the sector has substantial potential of capitilising on the global warming agenda. Second, India’s precarious position regarding manufacturing competitiveness, in the specific context of MSMEs, need a further look. Thirdly, the unique strength of India’s dynamic MSME sector can be harnessed through the various development actors, on a PPP mode. Fourthly, the era of Free Trade Agreements has opened up new challenges and opportunities for Indian MSMEs, which still remain least explored.

   The federal system offers a particular strength for India. Fifteen states of the Indian Union have a diverse, but strong base of MSMEs.  It is this diversity that makes India’s MSMEs sector the backbone of the country’s economy.

   The Report is clear and focused on the way forward. It specifically highlights the processes under way in the context of the current economic slowdown. The crisis, unlike in the 1930 s, is characterised by the swelling of ranks of unemployable labour which virtually get alienated from the mainstream of the society and of the economy. There is also a simultaneous phenomenon of shadow entrepreneurship, which is a resultant, largely, of return migration. Governments, in the form of relief packages, and such things as micro finance and start-up programmes, try to accommodate the shadow entrepreneurs. This leads to another phenomenon of creation of pseudo entrepreneurship. Thus, a scissors crisis take shape in the economy. This is a danger signal. This the time for planners and the governments to wake up and act upon. 

Some of the inherent strengths of the Indian economy have saved us from the worst of the crisis. A major contributory factor was the cushioning provided by MSMEs themselves. This important role of the MSME sector has not been duly recognized. The policy response remains much to be desired.

   This Report advocates an image building for India’s MSME sector, Breaking the invisibility syndrome, enhancing manufacturing competitiveness, strengthening the institutional and policy instruments, ensuring a level playing ground for MSMEs in a strict sense, within the framework of the Competition Law, defining the role of public and private actors in enterprise promotion, tapping the vast potential of green business ideas, enhancing the capability of the Sector to capitailise on emerging new markets, and to strengthen and channelise the energies and initiatives of the state governments for MSME development: these are the lines where action is needed. There is urgent need for a reform agenda for the MSME sector, as against the ad hocism that we are used to, for the last several decades. 

Stakeholder Benefits 

How does the Report address the various stakeholders?  Beyond the meat, here lies the expected benefits of the Report: 

Entrepreneurs 

The prime and ultimate beneficiaries of any MSME targeted initiative, should be the entrepreneur himself.  The entrepreneur is worried more about his day-to-day problems of finance, technology, labour, organisation and what not!  How does a voluminous Report matter him? 

As in 2010, there is much cloud over the entrepreneur’s sky.  The golden rules are becoming increasingly irrelevant; the beaten track is no more a beaten track.  What is happening today,  and will happen tomorrow, need to be taken from the professional’s mouth rather than plagiarism that is much  in the air.  Perhaps, it is not for all the entrepreneurs to read A to Z.  They do not get the time; nor do they be able to comprehend all of it.  But the message has to percolate. 

Financial Institutions 

Finance for MSMEs, is often a major issue of debate.  Entrepreneurs often complaint on limited availability of credit.  Bankers claim that the situation has much improved.  But there should be proof on both sides.  And incidentally, many bank officials ask ISED on feed back relating to their schemes and how they percolate.  Even Research Departments of Banks ask for data, which they have not been able to collect.  We need an answer.  That answer should trigger healthy debates, more light than heat!  MSMER Series facilitate that.  It brings down the burden of financial institutions, and answers several of their questions 

Promotional Institutions 

Finance is not all about SME promotion.  SMEs need financial and non financial services, like technical know how, services for starting a business, marketing support, legal support, support in dealing with human resources etc.  Several experts, and international and national organisations highlight the crucial role of ‘business development services’  However, most entrepreneurs in India feel that, it is really very difficult to get such services at the right time and in the right manner.  Why?  The business service providers, on the other hand, complain that, the market for such services is very small.  In fact, there is a smoke-screen, which need to be cleared, for the benefit of both the service providers, and the entrepreneurs alike.  MSMER Series is a major step to clear that smoke screen.   

Media 

There is a major media hype relating to MSMEs during the last five years or so.  It is a reflection of the enhanced international attention on the emerging vast opportunities of this sector.  ISED gets hundreds of enquiries every year from across the country and from elsewhere, on business opportunities, comments on public policy, responses to major developments,etc, which add to the rich columns of the print media, as also of the electronic.  As every body knows, the internet is just an electronic space unless it is fed into; so is the media.  MSMER Series is a major vehicle of flow of such resources directly to the media, and subsequently to the electronic space.   

Researchers 

It is increasingly a fad in India to do an academic course or a research on MSMEs, entrepreneurship, and perhaps more importantly on women entrepreneurship!  But the irony is that, there is very little of base-level resources in the country in this area, for researchers to fall back upon.  MSMER Series, besides providing a significant resource base, all under a single umbrella, highlights major researchable areas from time to time. 

NGOs 

Irrespective of the size, coverage and mandates, NGOs, to be effective, need to have significant resources and capabilities all under a single umbrella.  Irrespective of their laudable social goals, they need to function according to private sector principles, though not for profit.  Most NGOs are now engaged in two key areas: a) Micro finance; b) livelihood promotion.  To be effective on both, they need to be reasonably aware of the micro level economic processes.   Every issue of MSMER explains the working of this periphery, and thereby helps them to function more effectively.  MSMER 2010 provides a comprehensive analysis of non governmental actors that focus on enterprise development activities. 

Policy Makers 

Public policy is the business of the government  But, it need to get shaped and emerge out of grass root level experience which either appear as a feed back to the policy maker, or in the form of external shocks.  Beyond the official database   available in India and other countries, there is an enhanced understanding that much more quantitative and qualitative insights should get continuously fed into official data.  The Institute, with its rich feedback , working with several official committees, international forums and through its own research initiatives, pay back into the stream of public policy architecture in the country. 

This voluminous report of 395 pages is unique, as it provides a new perspective, and alternative methodology of looking at the opportunities and constraints of micro, small and medium enterprises.

 The Spectrum of issues covered:

 

• The Global Kaleidoscope
• Indian Economy 2010
• MSMEs and the Enterprises Eco-system.
• MSME Programmes & the Progress Card
• The Global Meltdown & MSMEs
• Manufacturing Competitiveness in MSMEs
• MSMEs in Public-Private Partnership
• International Trade, ASEAN and MSMEs
• Around the States
• The Way Forward

An excellent comparative scene of countries:

 

China       Pakistan      Nepal       SriLanka       Bangladesh       Thailand      Egypt     Indonesia      Vietnam       Brazil      Japan       USA      UKE      Uropean Union

 

 

And around the country with focus on major states:

 

Andhra Pradesh        Bihar       Chattisgarh       Gujarat      Haryana   Karnataka       Kerala         Madhya Pradesh      Orissa       Punjab    Rajasthan      TamilNadu         West Bangal 

Around the world, there are two broad patterns of MSME promotion policies and strategies: (1) equity- oriented; and (2) growth-oriented. In the Indian context, there has been some track record of balancing of these two thrusts. This, of course, is a unique legacy which India can present before the rest of the world. However, the bigger question still remain: How far can these countries withstand the challenges paused by the current global economic crisis? But the more specific question is, to what extent, SMEs can be used as a protective wall, where the economy demonstrates a recessionary trend.

 

Series: ISED Monograph Series

 

ISBN 978-81-907596-4-9

 

Price: Rs.200/- (India); US $ 20 (Overseas)

 

Unlike in other economies of the world, public policy in the industrial sector in India, since Independence, has significantly helped the broad based development of its several sectors and sub-sectors. The country also has a strong statistical system which captures the trend and progress of these various sub-sectors. However, as rightly pointed out by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the reform era in the country demands a new and better understanding of the industrial economy and associated systems which, at a time, captures the imperatives of public development programmes, as also the needs of a sound statistical system. It is also crucial to explore the role of actors other than the government who can contribute significantly in his area.

 

Series: ISED Monograph Series

 

ISBN 978-81-907596-5-6

 

Price: Rs.180/- (India); US $ 20 (Overseas)

The mixed picture of performance by the various segments of the MSME sector, as outlined above, has significant implications for policy. In the agenda of employment promotion in the country, the projections and strategies so far were significantly focused on the so-called SSIs with inadequate attention to the dynamics of the unorganized sector as a whole. A more holistic approach of the latter variety is vital for sharpening strategies from the bottom of the pyramid.

 

Series: ISED Monograph Series

 

ISBN 978-93-80830-01-8

 

Price: Rs.150/- (India); US $ 20 (Overseas)

MSMEs, around the world, generally demonstrate an inherent strength during times of economic turmoils compared to the corporates. In India, it demonstrates an unusual resilience, compared to the situation elsewhere in the world. Therefore, it would be out of place to conclude that this sector will not be able to withstand the general slowdown that we experience today. An important point to be noted, however, is that, both the cause and consequence of the present slow down is, materially not demand-led. Distortions in public policy are aplenty in India, which really harm the interests of the sector, and which need to be corrected.

 

Series: ISED Monograph Series

ISBN 978-81-907596-6-3

 

Price: Rs.195/- (India); US $ 20 (Overseas)

 

Ensuring adequate and timely credit to MSMEs continues to be a thorny issue in the Indian context. It is, as well, a cause and consequence of underdevelopment of the MSME sector of the country. Breaking out from this vicious circle is not simply an issue of finance; an integrated policy approach and associated strategies need to come through.

 

Series: ISED Monograph Series

 

ISBN 978-81-907596-9-4

 

Price: Rs.210/- (India); US $ 24 (Overseas)

More recently, Government of India has taken a proactive approach to green production. While renewable energy was largely considered as a stand-alone programme so far, an integrated approach was initiated recently. The major initiative in this area is the launching of the Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission itself.

Despite these initiatives, some critical areas of concern need attention: First, the alternative energy agenda in India, lacks clarity on its purpose. Does it mean, the outcome of an incidental urge? Or does it mean a business opportunity? It is true that, the particular circumstances, such as the oil crisis have prompted the search for alternative energy sources? However, as in 2010, alternative energy implies a significant business case, which still remains to be properly articulated in the Indian context. Assuming clarity on the renewable energy agenda as a business agenda, it is crucial to identify and specify the role of various actors. Thirdly, the mechanisms which help to foster business has to be clearly spelled out. Given the specific stage of development of the country, India need to do a lot of home work, in order to make use of the MSMEs as a tool in this vital agenda.

 

 

Series: ISED Monograph Series

 

ISBN 978-81-907596-7-0

 

Price: Rs.200/- (India); US $ 22 (Overseas)

Public-private partnership, both in concept and practice, has gained significant importance over the last one decade. However, the scope of the concept still remains too ambiguous in the Indian context. Naturally, the political economy of PPP works too much sectarian, often in the interests of the corporate sector and its chambers/Associations. In the Indian context, the private sector roles are significantly shouldered by a myriad of actors, who often are categoriesed as NGOs Therefore, from the point of view of accountability and audit, the government departments mostly prefer not to make use of the capabilities of these diverse actors. This offers a conducive environment for powerful sections in the private sector and vested interests to hijack the benefits of public programmes in their own interests. It is high time that the Government of India came out with a National Policy on Public-Private Partnership.

 

Series: ISED Monograph Series

 

ISBN 978-81-907596-8-7

 

Price: Rs.100/- (India); US $ 18 (Overseas)

Both the globaphiles and the globaphobes should appreciate the need for rapid changes in the MSME sector, from the point of view of their very survival, especially in an era where change itself is rather unpredictable. The need, therefore, is to cultivate a culture of innovation, in which both the corporate sector and the government have an important role to play.

 

Series: ISED Monograph Series

 

ISBN 978-93-80830-03-2

 

Price: Rs.200/- (India); US $ 22 (Overseas)

The new Industrial Policy and the enhanced thrust on competetiveness of the MSME sector, demands a fresh look at innovation in the Indian context. The National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme provides an excellent platform for this introspection. India s thrust on innovation over the past several decades, have not given adequate attention to the generation of knowledge and its preservation. The situation offers both opportunities and challenges to the country. Therefore, a sub-sectoral approach to competitiveness and innovation envisaged in the proposed National Manufacturing Policy, is a welcome step. But it should specifically address the situation relating to MSMEs, within the specific context of their social goals as well.

 

Series: ISED Monograph Series

 

ISBN  978-93-80830-02-5

 

Price: Rs.200/- (India); US $ 22  (Overseas)

 

 

 

ISBN NO: 978-81-907596-1-8

 

Pages: 252

 

Price: Rs. 520/- (India) ; US $ 82 (Oversease)

 

 

The mainstream media, around the world, as also in India, focus on the problems of the “common man”; the implication often is consumers and not producers. Even under the present economic crisis, the attention of the popular media in India is largely on the so-called “common man” and the corporates, and much less on the wealth-creators at the bottom line.

 

For India Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Report (MSMER) Series, and the ISED Small Enterprise Observatory, it is not a short-run curiosity on the shape of things to come. MSMER 2007, the forerunner of this Document, predicted this crisis much earlier; it is now turning to be a reality.

 

MSMER series, a unique initiative of its kind in the Country, was inaugurated in 1997, the Golden Jubilee year of India’s Independence. However, since 1997, radical changes have taken place in the global business environment, as also within India, and the Series, from time to time, has attempted to provide an independent view of key issues, though in a small way.

 

The present volume of the series is devoted to three key themes: (i) SMEs under the global economic crisis; (ii) how the international agenda turns significantly in favour of SMEs under the so-called “Obama Effect”; and (iii) the response of the financial system to such threats and opportunities. How India, as an emerging economy, looks at them, is important. What are the lessons the country should learn from such global experience, and what it can share with rest of the world? The Institute carried out a national enquiry on the theme in October- November this year. And this volume carries the key findings as well.      

 

 

ISBN  NO:  978-81-907596-0-1

 

Pages: 105

 

Price: Rs. 450/- (India); US $ 78 (Oversease)

 

 

 

‘The bottom of the pyramid’, a popular term in the literature on ‘responsible business’, which means the poor people and their economic activities, is at the centre-stage of international development debates today. In India the Eleventh Five Year Plan’s thrust is on ‘inclusive development’, where the bottom of the pyramid’ is visualized as the key agent which provides social face to enhanced growth in GDP.

 

But the role of the ‘bottom of the pyramid’ is perceived differently by different people. In ‘responsible business’ discussions, the poor are essentially considered as significant consuming units; in this Report, they are considered equally as wealth- creators. Such an understanding captures their reciprocal relationship in the economy and society. No economy can progress unless the economic aspirations of the masses, which drive them into action, are reasonably satisfied. This makes Small and Medium Enterprises, the catchword of today, against the reality of ‘jobless growth’ which faces most countries of the world.

 

Being atomic and invisible on the policy platforms, on the one hand, and with enhanced interdependence with an increasingly globalised economy, the constituency of micro, small and medium enterprises need close scrutiny both from the angles of policy and strategies; it is this vital role that this annual document of the ISED Small Enterprises Observatory performs. It is much different from the usual reportings on SMEs, and dwells into a variety of issues of topical interest, and that again, in the context of overall global developments, and countries of specific interest to India. MSMER 2007 carries a spotlight on a specific regional experience: the case of Tamil Nadu.

 

Pages: 16

Price: Rs.10/-

 

Pages: 38

Price: Rs.60/-

 

ISBN 978-81-907596-2-5

Pages: 25

Price: Rs. 70/- (India) ; US $ 3.00 (Overseas)

 

A slowdown in the economy is not an unusual phenomenon. What is quite unusual is the way we look at it. Does it create panic? Do we stop buying, anticipating a cash crunch? Do we cut down stocks, anticipating a future crunch in demand? Then, it creates an impact on the economic life of others as well.

 

A recession is the outcome of individual decisions by several economic actors. When most of us feel the pangs of a recession, it virtually becomes a reality. Thus, the cure for the malady lies in creating a general level of economic confidence.

 

The purpose of this monograph is to boost a sense of confidence in the minds of the entrepreneurs. What is lacking during a period of economic slow down is confidence, and nothing else, and a culmination of that leads to recession. This is not meant just to be a piece of advice; it is based on field impressions, facts and figures.

 

Being brought out by the ISED Small Enterprises Observatory at this Institute, the contents of this monograph are the outcome of research, interactions, and deliberations at various levels. A major source, of course, is the National Policy Conference on “ Economic Crisis and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises”, organized by the Institute, with the active support and Involvement of the Reserve Bank of India. This conference provided the platform for kick starting a chain of initiatives.

 

Discussion Paper No. 173/2007

Indian Small Firms under Globalization Has Policy Helped?

Keshab Das  July  2007

 

SME policy today has a significant halo of neo-localism.This, by itself, is not enough. A regional development perspective, addressing issues of structural infirmities, and job creation, assume critical importance today. Under the new policy thrusts, the age-old concerns adversely affecting the otherwise vibrant and broad-based small enterprises, have been pushed to the margins. 

While some of the high-tech and knowledge based industries, such as pharmaceuticals, IT or ITES related, garments and a very marginal section of the handicrafts, might be privileged due to the process of reforms and globalization, it would be potentially dangerous to continue to neglect the vast ailing small and tiny enterprises in underdeveloped regions. The unorganized sector still accounts for a whopping 99 per cent of all manufacturing enterprises ,and above 86 per cent of all employment.

 There are many policy lapses of the past that continue to this day.  A reorientation in policy approach that ensures credit availability, provision of basic physical and economic infrastructure, and enhances labour productivity, is needed.  That the tiniest units, in the unorganized sector, particularly, in rural areas, have been worst hit in terms of decline in factor productivity, dwindling demand, poor quality products, and insecure nature of jobs, calls for a different set of enterprise development strategies.  The challenge of policy today is to critically examine the various interventions so far, and be  sensitive to address various nagging constraints. This is the key to making SMEs a tool of inclusive development and  also for making it relevant in a context of local economic development.

Key words: small and medium enterprises, neo-localism, clusters, structural infirmities, policy approach. 

 

Discussion Paper No. DP.182/2007

SME Social Responsibility

Experience from Select Clusters in India

Pushpa Kumari and Chaman Lal

December 2007

 

 

The era of globalization has been marked by enhanced power of the corporate sector. Countervailing power has also emerged in the form of NGOs, consumers, trade unions, regulators, and activism by international organizations. One of the key outcomes has been an enhanced pressure on MNCs to become socially responsible. The debate on responsible business has increasingly been extended to the context of small and medium enterprises(SMEs), not only of the North, but  of the South as well. This paper discusses some of the conceptual issues and examines India's position relating SME social responsibility (SMESR). The finer part of the discussion is based on the experience of two SME clusters, namely, the Ludhiana knitwear cluster of Northern India, and Ankleshwar Chemicals in the Western part of the Country.

Enterprises, small or large, should be socially responsible. However, the case of small enterprise is different from the large ones that can take benefit from social responsibility (SR) practices. Because of the inherent nature of the SME sector, one has to be very careful and sensitive before putting any pressure on it. Sustainable development, the main objective of enterprise social responsibility, has to be seen through the process of SME development and not by overburdening them with SR stipulations.  Therefore, the crux of SMESR debate is not on whether or not SMEs should be socially responsible; rather it revolves around how they should be made aware of,  made to appreciate and  enabled to undertake SR activities.

 

 The experience of the two clusters show that, small enterprises prefer to be informal in contributing towards SR, may be because most of them have  work culture that is informal in nature. These contributions are observed to be often ad hoc, silent, value-based, and  mostly outside the organization, generally linked with the profits, and primarily routed through religious or community based organizations. Therefore, for Indian SMEs, getting engaged in SR activities is nothing new. The imperative is to document, voice and appreciate the existing SR efforts. SMEs should be helped to become responsible by removing barriers and difficulties, generating support systems and creating an enabling environment.

Key words: SME social responsibility, clusters, corporate sector, SR practices 

 Rs - 75.00/ $ - 50.00  

 

 Year of Publication - 2001.

 

 

No economy can progress unless the economic aspirations of the people are reasonably satisfied. It is the realization of such aspirations that drive people into action. The importance of small industry in Kerala’s development has been repeatedly highlighted. However, policy formulation in this vital sub-sector of the economy has to face several thorny issues.  The Kerala model of development is internationally known. The challenge of Kerala today is to raise the morale of the local nascent private investor who is fast converting himself into a renteer. Infrastructural support or investments from hitherto untapped sources. However important they may be, can play only a subsidiary role. The need of the hour is to raise the morale of the private investor and to drive him into action. This Approach Paper attempts to kindle light on this neglected are and to make some useful suggestions. 

 

 

 

Rs -  800 / $- 125 

 

 

Year of Publication - 2000.

 

The interest in small enterprise development throughout the world has emerged largely as an answer to the employment question. However, the economics of globalization and the pivotal role of information in this process has cast doubts on the future of this sub-sector, especially in developing countries. However, it will be too premature to argue that WTO will bring the dooms day for developing countries in the near future, nor is it correct to say that more of what is called technology inputs will salvage this sub-sector.

 

 Based on papers largely drawn from an International Conference organized by the Institute of Small Enterprises and Development (ISED), this volume offers a North-South perspective and experience on small enterprise development. We are living in a world where, unlike in the past, the objective reality in both industrialized and developing countries favours mall enterprises significantly. However, this vital sub-sector fails to assert its dual role and relevance in many countries. It is this reality that makes the volume valuable reading for planners, policy makers, researchers and the business community alike.

 

 

Rs.120.00/ $-   70.00

 

 

Year of Publication - 2005.

 

 

No economy can progress unless the economic aspirations of its people are reasonably satisfied. It is the realization of such aspirations that drive people into action. This makes small and medium enterprises (SMEs) the catchword of today, against the reality of jobless growth which faces most countries of the world.

 

            

Being atomic, and hence complex, making the constituency of SMEs transparent and intelligible, is the need of both amateurs and professionals. And this concern prompted ISED to come out with two major initiatives : (1) the setting up of Small Enterprise Observatory (ISED-SEO); and (2) India: The State of Development of SMEs (SDSME) series.

 

 

SDSME-2005 presents the latest concerns of SME development in India. It goes beyond the conventional thrusts, such as credit, technology product reservation etc., and discusses more innovative issues such as, the new economy, advocacy, business demography and the key trade issues..

 

 

 

Rs.115.00/ $ -  70.00 

 

 

Year of Publication-1998.

 

 

This voloume introduces a new direction for small enterprise finance in India. The editor and contributors argue that the flow of credit to this vital sub-sector of the economy is far from satisfactory; the situation, however, cannot be improved just by technical and administrative exercises. It is an integral part of the wider issue of sustainable development of small enterprises in the country.

 

 

Of practical use to small enterprise development programmes throughout India and other developing countries, this voloume brings together perspectives and experience from experts of an array of backgrounds: bankers, academicians, entrepreneurs, NGOs, planners, administrators, donors etc.

 

 

The topics covered include: macro perspectives: micro-level planning: institutional development: micro credit, credit appraisal techniques.

 

 

Rs.650.00/ $-   100.00  

 

 

Year of Publication - 2003.

 

 

Globalisation has become the reality of the times. The rules of the game under globalization are much different from what were used to in the 20th century. Irrespective of the changes in the old economy and the birth of the New Economy, the concerns guiding the development of small enterprises still remain intact, as the objectives of social policy in India continue to be the same.

 

 

But the strategies for translating these concerns into polices have changed significantly. While until 20th century, the primarily employment generating role of small industry guided us to distinguish between micro and macro policies, today, even the smallest of the small firm cannot remain unaffected by rules of a global economy.

 

 

It is this new environment which forms the backbone of the discussion in this book. The discussion ranges from macro policies, regional development experiences, development strategies and new perspective on the emerging development scene. The coverage and complementaries make it an indispensable reading material for all who are interested in business and employment.   

 

 Rs.250.00/ $-   100.00

 

 

 Year of Publication - 2005.

 

 

Once policy gets translated into programmes, they generate a built-in mechanism of growth and enhanced coverage. Naturally, in the craft of governance, there is a tendency to project every programme as successful because behind every programme, lies the element of accountability of some degree.

 

 

However, from the point of view of planning and development, it is important that information of the right type flows freely. This Handbook attempts to break the gulf between data and information and seeks to provide insights into the role and potential of a vital sub-sector of the economy of Kerala: small enterprises. Apart from being rhetorical, it is necessary to understand this sub-sector in terms of well-defined concepts that are vital for the planner. Data are often generated unintentionally. But to make them useful instruments of planning and action, one need to collate and relate them. This Handbook is an attempt in this direction. 

 

 

 

Rs.70/ $- 22.00                                                                         

 

 

Year of Publication - 2003.

 

 

Innovation is the catch word and survival strategy in an era of development marked by continuous changes in technology and location of production. The paradigm of flexible-specialization demands that, the search for new ideas, as also the practice of such ideas into production, need to be continuous. This publication provides an over view of the thinking and practice of innovation in the context of several countries in Asia and Africa.

 

 

This monograph is the product of a lecture delivered by Mein Peter van Dijk under the ISED Small Enterprise Lecture Series organized by the Institute of Small Enterprises and Development. Mein Pieter van Dijk is Senior Professor of Planning and Entrepreneurship Studies at the Erasmus University, Rotterdam. The Netherlands. He is also Associate Profesor of the Department of Regional Port and Transport Economics at the same University. Having a wide exposure on issues of small and micro enterprise policy and strategies in Africa, Asia and the Latin America, he has carried out extensive studies in India, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Burkino Faso, Zimbabwe and Ghana. A consultant of several international organisations, Prof. Van Dijk is member of the Executive Committee of the European Association of Development Research Institutes (EADI).    

 

 

 Rs.60. 00 /$- 20.00                                                                         

 

 

 Year of Publication - 2003.

 

 

           

 Privatization of publicly owned enterprises is a corollary of the wider process of globalization, as it relates to developing countries. Beyond this simple rationale of mobilizing resources for the economic restructuring, privatization is a wider question which has significant political and social implications. The experience around the world is rather mixed. Gopal Joshi, based on his research on the subject discusses the various aspects of privatization, with special focus on South Asian Countries.

 

            

Gopal Joshi is Senior Specialist, Small Enterprise and Management Development, at the South Asia Multidisciplinary Advisory Team (SAAT) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), New Delhi. The primary function of SAAT, covering nine countries of Asia is to provide policy advice and practical guidance on technical issues to the ILOs tripartite constituents.

 

 

Rs.60.00/ $-  20.00                                                                          

 

 

Year of Publication -  2004.

 

 

           

Collective efficiency is the king-pin of SME development strategies in the modern world. However, the experience available from various countries, as also from  within countries is rather mixed. Therefore, while evolving development strategies, one need to look into such diverse experience. This publication discuss such diverse experience, with special focus on India.

 

      

George B. Assaf, a British national, is Representative and South Asia Regional Director for the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). He was previously Senior Executive Officer in the Executive Office of the Director General of UNIDO. Dr Assaf also has acted as Resident Coordinator of the UN system in India. A doctorate in Economics from the Oxford University, he has taught at the London School of Economics. AQprolific writer in economics, he is co-author of the Book Reforming the UN System : Undoes Need Driven Model, with Carlos Margarinos. His more recent book on the Indian Economy has been widely quoted.

 

 Rs.50.00/ $-  18.00 

 

  Year of Publication - 2004.

 

          

The word renewable energy today has more of an emotional flavour than anything else. But for the common man in developing countries, such things as Kyoto Protocol and the oil crisis are beyond their immediate concerns. Naturally for renewables to make a meaningful entry, one need to talk in terms of the so called economic rationality.

 

 

 Rs.60.00/ $-  20.00

 

 

 Year of Publication - 2005.

 

       

The importance of SMEs in local economic development is often a tautology. But to what extent, it can be used as a meaningful instrument, is often a thorny issue. It demands, a new look at both the concepts of local economic development and development of SMEs, in a wider context of the logic and experience of globalization. The International Conference on Local Economic Development and SMEs held in January 2005, deliberated extensively on these issues, and came out with the now well known Cochin Declaration. The Cochin Declaration forms the alpha of the International Network on SMEs in Local Economic Development (INSLED).

 

 

 Rs.60.00/ $-  20.00                                                       

 

 

 Year of Publication - 2003.

 

        

 Public Policy on SMEs in most countries is anchored on the employment argument while this traditional argument is still valid, policy debates very often fail to grapple with the emerging changes in the economies and more importantly the global changes as they relate to the new trade regime. Zolten Acs discusses these complex dimensions and poses some issues for discussion.

 

            

 Zoltan J. Acs is the Doris and Robert McCurdy Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship Program in the Robert G. Merrick School of Business, University of Baltimore. He is also Census Research Fellow at the U.S. Bureau of the Census. He was Chief Economic Adviser to the President on Small Business Matters. He was also Associate Director of Center for International Business Education & Research (CIBER) at the University of Maryland: and was Research Fellow at the Social Science Center, Berlin. Dr. Acs, a member of the Swedish Foundation for Small Business International Reference Group, is a leading advocate of entrepreneurship and innovations as engines of economic growth. While at the Social Science Center, Berlin, he was one of the orginators of the field of small business economics.