Small Industry in Underdeveloped Countries

Abstract

In historical studies of industrialization prominent attention is usually given to the development of large-scale industry and whenever small industry is considered at all, it is usually introduced only as the starting point of, or a contrast to, large industrial enterprises. This concern with large industry also predominated in the earliest post-war discussions on the economic development of underdeveloped countries and from this period stem the famous and often ridiculed schemes of giant steel plants and other large industrial establishments in littleadvanced countries. During the last few years, however, the general climate of opinion has changed and increasing attention has been paid to small scale and even cottage industries. This has been especially pronounced in the countries of southern and southeastern Asia and is strongly supported by various studies and conferences of the Economic Commission on Asia and the Far East and other organizations associated with the United Nations operating in this part of the world.