Abstract:
A notable feature of small- scale industrial (SSI) units in Assam is its uneven pattern of distribution across the districts. SSI units are found to be concentrated in a few districts and its spread is sparse over most of the districts. Thus, the objective of this paper is to find out the various factors that explain the pattern of distribution of SSI units in Assam across the 23 districts. Following the literature on entrepreneurship six variables were identified as the explanatory variables for this study. With the help of a simple linear regression analysis, the study found that SSI units in Assam tend to come up in those districts having a high percentage of literate population, greater availability of industrial credit and a high percentage of urban population. The study therefore concludes that, apart from availability of resources (which works from the supply side), SSI units tend to come up in these districts that offer ample scope for expansion from the demand side as well.
