Policies to nurture Dwarf and infant SME job creation and productivity of Indian policymakers: a narrative policy framework

ABSTRACT

India is facing a difficult economic situation of low economic growth and job creation. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a critical role in it. However, Indian manufacturing SMEs are not able to contribute enough. The paper thus explores policy level modifications required to enhance the contribution of SMEs critical to the growth of the Indian economy. The study uses the narrative policy framework (NPF) by using non-experimental content analysis to present findings. The meso level research explains how policy narrative influences the policy outcome. The study thus presents the benefits as well as challenges of shifting policy focus as per the requirement of ever-changing business ecosystem. The study finds that NPF can be an important tool for scholars to understand the policy problems. This study is unique as it broader policy process scholarship by expanding NPF theory using content analysis and dealing with questions relevant to strategic policy actors and solutions for the first time.

KEYWORDS:

• SMEs
• public policy
• employment and growth
• narrative policy framework
• India

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Dwarf firms are more than 10 years old with less than 100 workers who have remained small despite being old.

2 Infant firms are small and less than 10 years old.