FROM THE QUANTITATIVE TO THE QUALITATIVE: SOME METHODOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE STUDY OF MICRO ENTERPRISES AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL

Abstract

Micro enterprises are a major feature of the industrial landscape particularly in all developing countries today. Within the process of industrialization its role has been visible in various aspects. In evaluating and promoting this sector, most of the researchers and development planners always highlight its quantitative aspects such as the number, income, value of output, profit and growth etc. But it is clear that there are very important qualitative aspects associated with this sector, as these enterprises mainly focus on family subsistence needs. These qualitative values are the insight things mainly related with the household economy and structure of micro entrepreneurs. For instance, entrepreneurs may support their children and household welfare, by allocating the income they earn according to the principles of a human. Sometime these enterprises contribute to self confidence of individuals by enhancing their social worth and dignity. By and large, it is clear that most of the researchers and policy planners have dismissed these qualitative aspects. They mainly use quantitative values in evaluating enterprises as the criteria for success. However, within the methodological approach on critical social environment, the identification of qualitative values has become important in the contemporary world emphasizing on the family and social responsibilities. These aspects have also been emphasized in many poverty alleviation strategies particularly in developing countries. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to emphasize the significance of taking into consideration the qualitative values relating to micro businesses. Though it mainly addresses the qualitative values, it does not attempt to exclude the significance of their quantitative aspects. While quantitative aspects still remain in its significance this paper attempts to emphasize on some qualitative aspects, which are relevant in methodological thinking on the study of micro enterprises at household level. This is mainly a conceptual paper and the perspectives are discussed on the basis of literature review. The qualitative aspects with reference to family labor utilization, women entrepreneurship and their contribution, household welfare, entrepreneur’s self reliance, family and social status, life cycles etc. are discussed in the paper. It illustrates that these perspectives are specific to the micro enterprise sector, as they focus on family subsistence and maintenance.

Keywords: Micro Enterprises

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