Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/32656 
Year of Publication: 
2008
Series/Report no.: 
Papers on Economics and Evolution No. 0808
Publisher: 
Max Planck Institute of Economics, Jena
Abstract: 
Empirical work on micro and small firms has focused on developed countries. The little work that exists on developing countries is all too often based on small samples taken from ad hoc questionnaires. The census data we analyze are fairly representative of the structure of small business in India. Consistent with prior research on developed countries, size and age have a negative impact on firm growth in the majority of specifications. The decision to export is a double-edged sword if successful it can accelerate the growth of successful firms, but it can also increase the probability of decline. While proprietary ownership results in faster growth, enterprises managed by women are less likely to grow and more likely to decline. Although many small firms are able to convert knowhow into commercial success, we find that many others do not have any technical knowledge and some are unable to use it to their benefit.
Subjects: 
Entrepreneurship
Developing countries
Micro and Small businesses
Firm growth
Firm age
Barriers to growth
Declining firms
Female entrepreneurs
JEL: 
L25
L26
O12
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
988.62 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.