Socio-economic Background of the Entrepreneurs and the Industrial Climate of the Small Scale Sector Industries in Orissa

Abstract

The article seeks to analyse the causes of low growth/failure of small-scale industries (SSI) in a poor and industrially backward state like Orissa, notwithstanding its rich mineral resource endowments and a good number of professionally qualified and well experienced people heading the SSI units of the state as entrepreneurs. Based on a survey of the SSI units and interview of Oriya entrepreneurs by using a structured questionnaire in three of the largest and important cities of Orissa, the researchers have analysed the social, cultural and political factors that have stifled the growth of a conducive industrial climate for the success of SSI units in the State. Also, the factors that are responsible for the deficiency of good entrepreneurial quality among the Oriya entrepreneurs of the SSI sector have been looked into from the political economy and socio-political angles.