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Technology Support for Small-scale Industry in Developing Countries: A Review of Concepts and Project Practices

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  • Henny Romijn

Abstract

The paper is a review of approaches towards institutional technology support for small-scale manufacturing enterprises in developing countries since the early 1970s. Early programmes tended to suffer from a number of weaknesses, stemming from a limited conceptualization of technology and an inadequate understanding of the role of the small-scale sector in industrial development more broadly. There was also a lack of practical experience with project implementation. However, in recent years important advances have been made on all these fronts. Four features of recent technology assistance programmes that have tended to be associated with success are discussed, and illustrated with evidence from different projects. Broadly, successful projects: (a) embrace the notion that durable competitiveness of small producers in a competitive economic environment requires that they develop internal capabilities to effectively assimilate, use and adapt product and process technologies; (b) are demand-driven; (c) target the assistance to groups of producers with common interests and problems, and help them to organize themselves in collective bodies that can evolve into self-help institutions; and (d) include appropriate incentive structures based on market principles.

Suggested Citation

  • Henny Romijn, 2001. "Technology Support for Small-scale Industry in Developing Countries: A Review of Concepts and Project Practices," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(1), pages 57-76.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:oxdevs:v:29:y:2001:i:1:p:57-76
    DOI: 10.1080/13600810124790
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Henny Romijn, 1999. "Acquisition of Technological Capability in Small Firms in Developing Countries," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-0-230-38980-9.
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    Cited by:

    1. Girum Abebe, 2012. "Ownership, Management Practices, Upgrading, and Productivity in the Metalworking sector: Evidence from Ethiopia," Working Papers 009, Policy Studies Institute.
    2. Richard Perkins, 2003. "Environmental leapfrogging in developing countries: A critical assessment and reconstruction," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 27(3), pages 177-188, August.
    3. Marjolein Caniëls & Henny Romijn, 2003. "SME Clusters, Acquisition of Technological Capabilities and Development: Concepts, Practice and Policy Lessons," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 3(3), pages 187-210, September.
    4. Tshuma Nothando & Simbarashe Gwata & Smarntha Shonhiwa & Amos Mpofu, 2022. "An Analysis of The Factors That Affect Adoption of Growth Strategies by SMEs," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 6(5), pages 705-713, May.
    5. Peter Njiraini & Paul Gachanja & Jacob Omolo, 2018. "Factors influencing micro and small enterprise’s decision to innovate in Kenya," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 8(1), pages 1-9, December.
    6. Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Banji, 2004. "A Systems Perspective on Inter-Firm and Organizational Collaboration in African Industry," UNU-INTECH Discussion Paper Series 2004-18, United Nations University - INTECH.
    7. Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Banji, 2001. "Networks and Linkages in African Manufacturing Cluster: A Nigerian Case Study," UNU-INTECH Discussion Paper Series 2001-05, United Nations University - INTECH.
    8. Luken, Ralph & Van Rompaey, Frank & Zigová, Katari­na, 2008. "The determinants of EST adoption by manufacturing plants in developing countries," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(1), pages 141-152, May.
    9. Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Banji, 2004. "Learning and Local Knowledge Institutions in African Industry," UNU-INTECH Discussion Paper Series 2004-02, United Nations University - INTECH.

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