Knowledge management and industrial growth – A study on the small scale enterprises of Kottayam District, Kerala, India

Knowledge management in the context of entrepreneurship seeks to make available the most relevant information for the prospective entrepreneurs and help them to make the best use of that knowledge, creating new knowledge, increasing awareness and devising best practices in the process. The Government of India has been vigorously launching numerous schemes and programmes and pumping crores of Rupees into Research and Development over the years in order to facilitate the growth of entrepreneurship in the country. The situation provides an ideal context for implementing sound knowledge management practices. The study relates to knowledge management in the context of small scale enterprises in one of the southern states of India, i.e., Kerala. For the purpose of study, Knowledge Management implies training effectiveness of District Industries Centre (DIC), a local body entrusted with the task of nurturing new entrepreneurs through their training sessions. The sample has been drawn from those who have undergone the training at DIC during the year 2008 – 2009. The study revealed a sincere attempt made by the government agencies to promote entrepreneurship through efficient knowledge management models. It has also brought to light the lacuna in the system.