• DR. RAJ KUMAR AGRAWAL

Small scale industries (SSIs) are considered engine for economic growth all over the world. In present scenario of markets globalization and age of information technology, SSIs are playing significant role in supply chains of larger organizations. To sustain their importance and performance, SSIs are feeling more pressures to improve their competitiveness as compared to past protective markets. In this paper, an attempt is made to examine various issues such as nature of pressures and constraints, priorities for making investment and developing competencies and their competitiveness. Different dimensions of performance and competitiveness have been identified. For analyzing these issues questionnaire based survey methodology was used. Total 75 responses were received. For analyzing the data SPSS 10.0 software is used. On the basis of analysis of data, it is observed that cost reduction, quality improvement and delivery in time are major pressures on SSIs. Lack of growth conducive environment and inadequate government support are major constraints. For making investment, market research, welfare of employees and research and development are major areas of investment. Performance of Indian SSIs is not found very satisfactory in comparison to international standards. However their growth in terms of market share, sales turnover and profit is higher than moderate level. It may be due to enhancing opportunities for them after market globalization. This study implies that Indian SSIs have lot of potential for growth provided they can improve their competitiveness at global level.

Globalization, Small scale industries, performance, competitiveness.

"BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, INVESTMENT PRIORITIES AND COMPETITIVENESS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF INDIAN SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES (SSIS)", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 4, page no.151-153, April-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1804031.pdf

"BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, INVESTMENT PRIORITIES AND COMPETITIVENESS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF INDIAN SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES (SSIS)", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 4, page no. pp151-153, April-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1804031.pdf