Title: Adoption of cleaner production innovations by micro, small and medium enterprises: lessons from the clay-fired brick manufacturing sector in India

Authors: Sachin Kumar; Prateek Sharma

Addresses: Department of Energy and Environment, TERI School of Advanced Studies, 10, Institutional Area, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110 070, India ' Department of Energy and Environment, TERI School of Advanced Studies, 10, Institutional Area, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110 070, India

Abstract: The paper aims to advance understanding on innovation adoption process by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in a developing country context. A field study was carried out in clay-fired brick manufacturing sector in India. Using a structured questionnaire, interactions were carried out with 64 brick kiln entrepreneurs and other key stakeholders in two prominent brick manufacturing clusters. The key factors that influence the decision making process of MSME entrepreneurs were identified. These factors were prioritised using the analytic hierarchy process. The financial benefit is the key factor that helps an entrepreneur takes a decision in favour of adopting an innovation.

Keywords: brick kiln; clay-fired brick manufacturing; zigzag firing; technology adoption; micro; small and medium enterprise; MSME; brick kiln entrepreneur; management; development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMED.2021.113645

International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development, 2021 Vol.20 No.1, pp.49 - 74

Received: 10 Oct 2019
Accepted: 12 Jul 2020
Published online: 15 Mar 2021 *

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