Informality and structural change: evidences from microenterprises in India's unorganised manufacturing sector

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shromona Ganguly
Keyword(s):  
Structural Change ◽  
Small Firm ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Capital Intensity ◽  
World Market ◽  
Productivity Analysis ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis article analyses the structural change in microenterprises located at India's unorganised manufacturing sector in terms of output mix, choice of technique and productivity during the last few decades.Design/methodology/approachBased on data collected from a quinquennial survey of unorganised firms, this study attempts productivity analysis by using the growth accounting technique.FindingsThe paper finds that there is a significant structural change which has occurred in the small firm sector in Indian manufacturing. The share of capital-intensive industries has increased substantially in recent years. Further, though small firms are more labour intensive, the labour productivity and total productivity of these firms are very low. The falling labour productivity and rising capital intensity indicates replacement of labour with capital in Indian small firm sector.Practical implicationsLow productivity of the sector is a cause for concern and this needs to be addressed by making the sector more competitive in the world market. To achieve this, policies should be designed so that small firms reach the efficient scale of production.Originality/valueThis is the first paper which examines structural changes in the Indian MSME sector. The findings have strong implications for creation of a viable ecosystem of entrepreneurship in the country.

Exports and job creation in South Korea: industry-level analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Unjung Whang
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Capital Intensity ◽  
Employment Effect ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Method Of Moments Estimator

Purpose The Korean manufacturing sector has undergone structural changes in a transition from labor- to capital-intensive industries. These changes seem to be relevant to the weakening of the export effect on employment that began in 1990. In light of the importance of exports in the Korean labor market, the purpose of this paper is to shed light on the primary reasons why export growth does not lead to sufficient job creation as it did in the past. Design/methodology/approach The authors first use the growth accounting approach to show that the weakening of the linkage between exports and employment is closely related to the composition of export products, which has changed toward being more labor-saving. An empirical analysis (i.e. first difference A-B generalized method of moments estimator) on the employment effect of exports confirms that as the capital-intensity of exports increases employment effect decreases. Findings The main findings of the study can be summarized as follows. First, the reduction in the export effect on exports is highly correlated with changes in the composition of export products. Second, an increase in exports leads to an increase in manufacturing jobs, and the export elasticity of employment decreases as capital-intensity increases. Third, the export elasticity of employment tends to be higher when the export proportion of SMEs’ products is larger. Originality/value Despite the many literatures on the link between exports and employment, there is no consensus on this topic. However, it is generally agreed that the employment effect of exports has been considerably weakened, compared to that of the past, at least in Korea. Nevertheless, few studies attempt to address why this trend has occurred. In this paper, we focus on the structural factors that are the major cause of the weakening of the virtuous cycle between exports and employment. This allows us to provide valuable information to policy makers who are concerned with developing export policies that are related to effective job creation.

scholarly journals The impact of effectuation on small firm buying decisions

IMP Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 444-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip McGowan
Keyword(s):  
Small Firm ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Personal Selling ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Entrepreneurial Decision ◽  
Interaction Approach ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Relationship Decisions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider the effect of effectuation logic on the buying intentions of small firm owner-managers. Design/methodology/approach Literature relating to organisational buying, marketing and personal selling and entrepreneurial decision making was synthesised. Findings This paper presents a conceptual model based on propositions relating to how effectuation logic may explain the predilection of small firm owner-managers to select trusted suppliers from within personal and business networks, and to engage on flexible terms. It suggests that supplier relationship decisions made using effectuation logic may enable wider choice of suppliers than the formal processes of large firms. Research limitations/implications The findings were developed from a narrative review of literature and are yet to be empirically tested. Originality/value By synthesising research findings on small firm buyer behaviour, the IMP interaction approach and effectuation, it has been possible to develop a predictive model representing buyer–seller relationships in the context of small firms which suggests that owner-managers select suppliers in line with the principles of effectuation means and effectuation affordable loss.

scholarly journals Can Sectoral Re-allocation Explain the Jobless Growth? Empirical Evidence from Pakistan

2010 ◽  
Vol 49 (4II) ◽  
pp. 705-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azad Haider
Keyword(s):  
Structural Change ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
Foreign Technology ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Jobless Growth

The present paper discuss the nature of structural changes in employment to understand jobless growth in Pakistan for the period spanning over 1967-2008. In our work (elsewhere)1 analysing Pakistan at sectoral level to find underlying factors generating jobless growth, we found that Jobless growth in manufacturing sector was anticipated. Industrial sector has a significant importance in any economy across the glob. Recent changes in the use of capital—based foreign technology has resulted in substitution of labour with non-labour inputs such as capital. Employment shifts between industrial sectors are often witnessed as indicators of Structural change in an economy. In this paper we are more interested in the nature of structural change that took place in Pakistan economy over 1967-2008. We set to analyse four commonly used measures of sectoral reallocation proposed by Lilien (1982), Groshen and Potter (2003), Rissman (1997), and Aaronson, Rissman and Sullivan (2004). Findings of our work are suggesting that the economy of Pakistan underwent structural change during periods of recession and recovery. However, it does appear that structural changes were more pronounced at the time of 1969 recession than that of 1991 recession. A plausible explanation for this result might be significant shifts in employment from agriculture towards services sectors. We conclude, based on the evidence from our study, that sectoral reallocation is one of the major causes of jobless growth in Pakistan.

Small firm performance: an empirical analysis in Malaysian housing construction industry

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosman Mahmood ◽  
Ahmad Suffian Mohd Zahari ◽  
Najihah Marha Yaacob ◽  
Sakinah Mat Zin
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Small Firm ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Internal Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Entrepreneurial Capital ◽  
And Training

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the importance of innovation for the performance of small firms in the construction sector. Furthermore, this paper also examines the influence of several factors related to entrepreneurial capital (entrepreneurial value, business strategy, experience and training) on small firm performance in the sector. Design/methodology/approach This study uses primary data of 255 small firms in the construction sector under the category of small contractors (G1). Stratified sampling method was utilized for data collection, which is then analyzed using the descriptive and multiple regression analysis to achieve the objectives of the study. Findings The findings showed that the factor of innovation and several factors related to entrepreneurial capital (entrepreneurial value, business strategy and business experience) have a significant positive relationship with the performance of small firms in the construction sector. However, factor of training indicated a significant negative correlation with small firm performance. Research limitations/implications Although this study found a significant impact in explaining the factors that affect performance, particularly in the construction sector, it only takes into account only some internal factors (entrepreneurial capital and innovation). Proposed future research should consider a variety of other factors mainly related to external factors, such as economic development, growth potential, industry structure, internal social capital and government policy. Practical implications This study provides clear implications related to the theory and contributions to the literature related to research in the construction sector. The study also provides invaluable insightfulness to various stakeholders including policy makers, institutional support and small contractors about the importance of innovation and entrepreneurial capital in determining the performance of small firms in the sector. Originality/value The results provide supportive evidence that entrepreneurial values and business strategy are important internal factors in determining the performance of a firm, which is consistent with the theory of resource-based view. Experience and training factors, as indicators of firm performance, are articulated in the theory of human capital. Hence, the findings not only can strengthen both the theories but also make a significant contribution to the literature of the study, particularly in the construction sector.

Structural Change and Economic Growth across Major States of India

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-182
Author(s):  
Monica Thind ◽  
Lakhwinder Singh
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Structural Change ◽  
Productivity Growth ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
High Productivity ◽  
Labour Productivity Growth ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
The Relationship

The structural change in an economy is an important feature of the economic development process. Structural change becomes a potential source of growth in an economy as it induces reallocation of labour from low-productivity to high-productivity sectors, thus leading to fuller and better utilization of overall resources. This article studies the relationship between structural change and growth in 15 major states of India over the 30-year period from 1983–1984 to 2014–2015. The study aims at discovering whether structural changes have contributed to economic growth of these states or otherwise. This is achieved by decomposing the overall labour productivity growth of states into contribution by structural change and within sector change. The results show that in all the states under study structural changes have contributed positively to growth; however, contribution of within sector changes is found to be much more than structural change in all states except Maharashtra.

The relationship between growth and volatility in small firms

2014 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 1516-1532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Moreno ◽  
Jose A. Zarrias ◽  
Jose L. Barbero
Keyword(s):  
Small Firm ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Quantitative Information ◽  
Similar Nature ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Environmental Hostility

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of predictors of growth (entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and environmental hostility) and growth itself on small-firm volatility. The objective is to find out: first, whether growth and volatility possess a similar nature; second, what are the predictors of small-firm volatility. Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaire data were collected from CEOs of 433 Spanish small firms (<500 employees) who provided qualitative as well as quantitative information. Findings – The authors find that some of the predictors on growth can also be used to predict firm volatility. Specifically, the authors find that firm volatility is influenced by EO and environmental hostility. Growth also influences firm volatility. The authors also find a strong interaction effect of growth and firm size on firm volatility. The authors conclude that although growth and firm volatility are related concepts, they are different. Originality/value – Growth has concentrated small-firm research during the last 20 years. However, during the last few years, the environment has become very dynamic and small firms need research helping them to deal with such dynamism. There are few studies on firm-level volatility. The research helps understand more the determinants of small-firm volatility.

scholarly journals Structural Change for a Post-Growth Economy: Investigating the Relationship between Embodied Energy Intensity and Labour Productivity

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Hardt ◽  
John Barrett ◽  
Peter G. Taylor ◽  
Timothy J. Foxon
Keyword(s):  
Structural Change ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Energy Intensity ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Meaningful Work ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Price Inflation ◽  
Service Sectors ◽  
The Uk

Post-growth economists propose structural changes towards labour-intensive services, such as care or education, to make our economy more sustainable by providing meaningful work and reducing the environmentally damaging production of material goods. Our study investigates the assumption underlying such proposals. Using a multi-regional input-output model we compare the embodied energy intensity and embodied labour productivity across economic sectors in the UK and Germany between 1995 and 2011. We identify five labour-intensive service sectors, which combine low embodied energy intensity with low growth in embodied labour productivity. However, despite their lower embodied energy intensities, our results indicate that large structural changes towards these sectors would only lead to small reductions in energy footprints. Our results also suggest that labour-intensive service sectors in the UK have been characterised by higher rates of price inflation than other sectors. This supports suggestions from the literature that labour-intensive services face challenges from increasing relative prices and costs. We do not find similar results for Germany, which is the result of low overall growth in embodied labour productivity and prices. This highlights that structural change is closely associated with economic growth, which raises the question of how structural changes can be achieved in a non-growing economy.

scholarly journals Redressing small firm resilience: exploring owner-manager resources for resilience

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Wall ◽  
Lawrence Bellamy
Keyword(s):  
Small Firm ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Personal Resources ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Confidence Levels ◽  
Future State ◽  
Personal Resilience ◽  
Organisational Level

Purpose The owner-manager of small firms is recognised as having a potentially significant role in the small firm’s competitiveness, growth and failure. However, the owner-manager’s own resilience has been largely overlooked in the small firm resilience literature. The purpose of this paper is to redress this and expand the debate and empirical basis of small firm owner-managers’ personal resources for resilience. Design/methodology/approach This longitudinal qualitative study deployed semi-structured interviews with nine owner-managers, each being interviewed three or four times. Analytical procedures were used with an established framework, which conceptualised four key personal resources for resilience, as follows: adaptability, confidence, social support and purposefulness. Findings There were four key findings, as follows: owner-manager adaptability can appear in extremes including a sense of helplessness or optimism where disruptive circumstances are not sensed as problematic; owner-manager confidence levels often echo their own mindset of adaptability, that is, from helplessness to positive ambition; owner-managers can use discursive tactics with strong/weak ties for a range of affective and technical resources for resilience; and purposefulness tended to be framed in terms of a necessity for a longer term future state related to own or family lifestyle rather than profit. It is also noted that the owner-manager and the firm are closely interrelated, and therefore, enhancement of personal resilience resources is likely to positively influence their resilience, and therefore, the resilience of the organisation and strategic capability of the firm. Originality/value The small firm resilience literature typically focusses on the organisational level, which de-emphasises the salient role of the owner-manager and their resilience. This study attempts to redress this.

A new route to the rapid growth of the service sector: rise of the standard of living

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harutaka Takahashi ◽  
Kansho Piotr Otsubo
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Structural Change ◽  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Intensity Effect

Abstract In the present study, we set up a continuous-time two-sector optimal growth model with services and manufacturing goods and then examine structural change: the rapid growth of the service sector. Earlier studies of structural changes can be separated into two categories: preference-driven and technology-driven. Here we introduce a new and distinct category of structural change: consumption externality identified as rise of the living standard. A key assumption is that (1) a representative consumer has a non-homothetic Stone–Geary type utility function with respect to manufacturing goods and that (2) its subsistence level will be regarded as the standard of living and will be affected by the average consumption of manufacturing goods, which also affects the consumption level of services. We also assume that the manufacturing sector is more capital-intensive than the service sector, which takes an important role in our proofs. Results show that a steady state equilibrium exists that is globally stable as well as saddle-point stable. Then, given certain production parameters in a steady state, there exists optimal steady state where the value-added and employment shares by service sector will dominate those of the manufacturing sector under the condition that external effects of the service sector dominates capital-intensity effect of the manufacturing sector. In other words, through the transition process, the service sector will dominate the manufacturing sector in the steady state.

Small firm coopetition – the missing links: coopetitive tension, balance and value

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett Letcher ◽  
Margarietha de Villiers Scheepers ◽  
Wayne Graham
Keyword(s):  
Small Firm ◽  
Small Firms ◽  
Fair Value ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dyadic Relationships ◽  
Relational Dynamics ◽  
Value Appropriation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Potential Partner ◽  
Empirical Foundation

Purpose This paper aims to explore small firm perceptions of coopetition, focusing on coopetitive tension, balance and value appropriation realised in dyadic relationships, not considered holistically in previous research. Design/methodology/approach The authors use seven cases of small firms as the empirical foundation of this study and analysed data thematically. Findings The findings show that precursors to coopetitive tension in dyads influence friction in these relationships, as firms seek to achieve balance. Balance is dynamic as firms continuously appraise their positions to determine the benefits realised from coopetition. The extent to which firms act cooperatively or competitively is influenced by their perception of fair value appropriation for sustained coopetitive relationships. Research limitations/implications Because of the research design findings are not generalisable but provide insight into small firm coopetitive relational dynamics. Future research should explore how industry differences influence firms’ perceived precursors to coopetitive tension and value appropriation based on boundary conditions. Practical implications Small firms can proactively address coopetitive tension by developing relationships with potential partner firms through trialling smaller projects and increasing awareness of how their competitive or cooperative behaviours might influence the actions of their counterpart. Originality/value This study advances a theoretical framework integrating coopetitive tension, balance and value appropriation, as opposed to earlier fragmented approaches. The framework reveals that precursors to coopetitive tension are continuously appraised as firms act in cooperative or competitive ways. These interactions imply that firms will take a position of balance that provides complementary benefits.

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