Mechanisation and factor productivities: the case of Kerala coir industry

The present research is an attempt to evaluate the impact of mechanisation on the performance of coir industry of Kerala using factor productivities. The analysis is expected to yield wider policy implications regarding mechanisation of coir industry for its betterment. The study uses primary data c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of social and economic development 2024-04, Vol.26 (1), p.122-131
Main Author: Raseena, K. K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Companies
Economic Growth
Economic Policy
Economic Sociology
Economics
Economics and Finance
Fibers
Manufacturing
Markets
Organizational Studies
Production functions
Productivity
Research methodology
Research Paper
Sampling
Small & medium sized enterprises-SME
Social Policy
Technology adoption
Textile industry
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Summary:The present research is an attempt to evaluate the impact of mechanisation on the performance of coir industry of Kerala using factor productivities. The analysis is expected to yield wider policy implications regarding mechanisation of coir industry for its betterment. The study uses primary data collected from 115 coir manufacturers of Alappuzha District by using simple random sampling. It starts with measuring the degree of mechanisation. Then various firms under coir industry of Kerala are categorised in to 4 levels of mechanisation, namely, traditional firms, low mechanised firms, medium mechanised firms and high mechanised firms. The study highlights that, at higher levels of mechanisation, the firms cannot utilise their full capacity mainly due to market inefficiencies. Both the raw materials and the product markets are inefficient to tap the full capacity of the firms. The existence of X-inefficiency may be one of the reasons for low level of mechanisation within the industry. This analysis calls for government-market interventions for better performance of this industry. At the same time the study highlights that the lower mechanised firms can perform better only if the production techniques are up to date.
ISSN:0972-5792
2199-6873
DOI:10.1007/s40847-023-00254-z