A Critique of SME-led Approaches to Economic Development

摘要: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have had a privileged treatment in the development literature, particularly over last two decades. Hardly any arguments are put forward against SMEs, even if policies do not necessarily favour them economic programs, voluntarily or not, often continue to result large capital investment. Arguments for SMEs come from almost all corners of less developed countries (LDCs), tend emphasise role practical results differ rhetoric. Therefore, seem be an accepted wisdom within debate. However, there at least six major problems related this First, concept is clear as definitions arbitrary vary significantly according different stages development, structures issues that authors studies intend address. Second, between scholars policy makers, become too many use. Third, supporting has (static) objective itself, panacea, rather than means achieve goals, stage firms industries, action derived socially economically specific processes development. Fourth, it fact way objectives rhetoric orientation intends achieve. Fifth, considerable differences with respect more likely (or likely) promote – because of, for, so much difficult assess relative merits real utility such set policies. Sixth, questionable mainstream approaches can capture dynamics process accumulation, integrated into world economy. Moreover, oriented towards anything particular activities; hence, skills, productive capacities, types linkages engines, markets, technologies, business services, information systems, labour industrial relations, on, properly addressed form point view. It also consistent theories about “minimalist” “developmental” state. The main aim article discuss illustrate these issues, attempting solve them. argues SME good