Publications
Employment Role of Micro-Enterprises in Himachal Pradesh
by Vinod Anand
In this study which focuses
on the state of Himachal Pradesh, 
a purely qualitative (rather
indicative) assessment has been undertaken of the micro-enterprise
sector in the state on the basis of a survey of the units
falling within a highly limited, but reasonably representative
sample frame.The study makes an effort to link the profile
of this sector to what obtains in other areas, regions, and
countries, and tests, once again qualitatively, the applicability
of existing theory to the micro-enterprises active in Himachal
Pradesh. In essence, the study focuses on a number of basic
economic and other characteristics of the micro enterprises,
such as ownership, geographical dispersal, cost structure,
income and output patterns, potential for generating self-and
wage-employment, their role in the migration and urbanization
process, and their effectiveness in meeting the legitimate
requirements of the local community. It also analyzes both
the exogenous and endogenous constraints and problems as faced
by this sector, especially in terms of risk aversion, additional
demand, lack of innovation, bureaucratic red tape, and the
policy of globalization, opening up, and liberalization as
reflected particularly in the context of the WTO (World Trade
Organization) regime. And finally, it offers a comprehensive
and feasible policy package, which includes basically a support
strategy, restructuring, reward system, strategic partnering,
and merger possibilities.
It is hoped that this study will help the researchers and policy makers to have an insight into the theoretical and qualitative assessment of the existing situation of micro enterprises in Himachal Pradesh. It will also enable the concerned government bodies, support agencies, and non-governmental organizations to improve their assistance strategies to these businesses. In fact, this research will have immense policy implications for the concerned authorities as they seek to devise programmes to promote the operation of micro-enterprises, either independently, or as a larger strategy of employment generation and technological efficiency. In this context the crucial parameters are: sources of finance, accessibility of commercial credit, entrepreneurial and technical development, on-the-job training, and infrastructure requirements.
Vinod Anand (b. 1939) holds Master's degree both in Mathematics (1959) and Economics (1961), and Doctorate Degree in Economics (1970). He has about forty years of teaching, research, and project work experience in Economic Theory (both micro and macro), Quantitative Economics, Public Economics, New Political Economy, and Development Economics with a special focus on economic and social provisions revolving around poverty, inequality, and unemployment issues, and also on informal sector studies. As Professor and Head of the Department of Economics at the University of North-West in the Republic of South Africa, and University of Allahabad in India, Associate Professor at the University of Botswana, Gaborone in Botswana, and at Gezira University in Wad Medani, Sudan, Head, Department of Arts and Social Sciences, Yola in Nigeria, Principal Lecturer in Economics at Maiduguri University in Nigeria, and as Lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in Nigeria, Anand has published about sixty research papers in standard academic journals, authored nine books, supervised a number of doctoral theses, was examiner for more than twenty Ph.D. theses, and has wide consultancy experience both in India and abroad, essentially in the African continent. This includes holding the position of Primary Researcher, Principal Consultant etc. in a number of research projects sponsored and funded by universities, governments, and international bodies like USAID, IDRC, and AERC. Professor Anand has also extensively participated in a number of conferences, seminars, workshops, and delivered a variety of Refresher Lectures at different venues both in India and abroad. He was a Fellow at the IIAS from 2001 to 2003.
