Right from its inception, IECED has been active in research and studies on the thrust areas. IECED undertakes sponsored research and research on its own initiative. Some of the more important among them are briefly described below.
Mapping the Local Products in the Consumer Goods Market of Kerala
This paper examines the scope of entrepreneurship in Kerala and seeks to identify the barriers that stand in the way with a view to put forward a set of policy prescriptions to overcome them. Trends in household consumption are presented to show the emergence of Kerala as a big market which will instill confidence in any entrepreneur. It is observed that Malayalee entrepreneurs manufacture only a handful of low investment, low technology and low value added items while the lion's share of the consumer goods are imported into the state. The paper also attempts to identify the major cultural, psychological, institutional and environmental barriers in the way of entrepreneurising Kerala and put forward a set of interventions to overcome them.
A Study of the Incidence and Impact of Harthals in Kerala This paper is an enquiry into the factors contributing to the high incidence of hartal and its role in vitiating the environment for entrepreneurship in Kerala. Based on the hartals that took place during 2003, the paper questions the widely held perception that the high incidence of hartal is an indicator of the social and political consciousness of Malayalees and argues that the structure of the Kerala economy and the Malayalees' need for leisure offer more realistic explanations. Though the population of Kerala whose livelihood will be severely affected by hartals is a minority, the fact cannot be overlooked that they are a significant minority. Analysis of the provocation for the hartals during 2003 reveals the growing criminalisation of Kerala society. The relationship between the structure of domestic product and hartals was examined in detail. Evidences also show that hartals cause considerable damage to the entrepreneur's business morale. The paper also puts forward a more constructive and socially less costly alternative to hartal.
This study sponsored by Agricultural Finance Corporation attempts to identify bankable projects in agricultural sector in the eight branches of Canara Bank in Kasaragod District. Based on field work undertaken in eight centres, the study has identified 65 agro based projects involving an investment to the tune of Rs.742.51 lakhs. Brief project profiles have also been prepared as part of the project. The total direct and indirect employment effect of the proposed projects works out to 632.
A Fresh Look at Kerala Land Utilisation Order 1967 in the Backdrop of Crop Destruction.
Sponsored by Delhi based Centre for Civil Society, this study critically examines the relevance of Kerala Land Utilisation Act 1967 which has turned out to be a weapon against enterprising farmers. The Order prohibits the cultivation of cash crops in paddy fields. The analysis of the trends in area under paddy and production shows that over the period 1975-76 to 2003-04 both area as well as production registered steep fall. The study finds that except causing clash between agricultural labourers and small and marginal farmers, the law does not serve any useful purpose. The paper raises the question whether the law has lost its rationale and relevance in the changed circumstances when the country is food surplus and restrictions on interstate movement of food grains have been removed. The paper argues that if the law is repealed, it will contribute to higher agricultural production and increased employment opportunities to the agricultural labourers.
How the Investment climate of Kerala Makes Entrepreneurs Cross Borders ?
Sponsored by CREED of Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Ahmedabad, this study explores the reasons for the emerging tendency of successful Kerala entrepreneurs to select other/neighbouring states for expansion/diversification. Based on the interviews with 50 such entrepreneurs, the paper tries to construct the major facets of the environment for entrepreneurship in Kerala. The study finds that the single most important factor that motivates entrepreneurs to cross borders is the highly stressful environment of Kerala. The major sources of stress are the need to negotiate with the environment in the process of running of their ventures, frequent harthals, threatening demands of the donation seekers and hostile support system. The findings of the study point towards the need for building psychic infrastructure through creation of consciousness in the civil society on a massive scale about the need of industrialization of the state. The present emphasis on physical infrastructure may not achieve the intended purpose unless the policy makers pay attention to this aspect.
A Study of Kerala Excise Law Relating to the Rights of Farmers to Tap Coconut Trees for Making Neera Sponsored by Delhi based Centre for Civil Society, this study probes deeper into the legal and procedural restrictions that prevent the farmers from tapping coconut trees for making Neera, a natural soft drink. The study finds that if cautiously implemented arresting the pitfalls arising from the possibility of making illicit liquor in the guise of Neera, it can considerably augment the income of coconut farmers who are facing unfavorable price situation.
A Study of College Students in Kerala
Entrepreneurship literature suggests that children acquire financial literacy through their involvement in domestic finance. This is a major determinant of their decision to take up an entrepreneurial career after education. This study seeks to analyse the level of involvement of college youth in the finances of the family and the level of their knowledge about general financial matters. The pilot study in selected colleges in Thiruvananthapuram city is in progress.
A Study of Entrepreneurs in Kerala
For historical and socio-cultural reasons, entrepreneurs in Kerala society do not have very high social status. Entrepreneurs are viewed as exploiters who accumulate wealth by extracting surplus value due to the workers. This societal image of entrepreneurs seems to have affected the self-esteem of entrepreneurs in Kerala society. This study seeks to analyse how the issues of self-esteem get reflected in the every day life of the entrepreneur and his family members. In particular, the study analyses how this has affected the career choices of the children of the entrepreneurs. On the basis of the findings of the study, IECED proposes to initiate a series of interventions aimed at raising the self-esteem of entrepreneurs in Kerala society.
