2026/05/31 by Neha Jain, Sugandha Huria, Kriti Sharma · 1 voice
Business, Management and Accounting · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Social Sciences · #Cyberloafing and Workplace Behavior #Global trade and economics #International Business and FDI
paper · doi:10.1080/13571516.2026.2673493
openalex publication_date 2026/05/31 · openalex created_date 2026/06/02 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/14
This study investigates whether incorporating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into production processes enhances the productivity of unorganized sector Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India and fosters their participation in international trade. Using data from the National Sample Survey’s 73rd round (2015-16) on unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises, encompassing approximately 269,000 firms, three key findings emerge. First, digital infrastructure usage positively impacts firm productivity, a result robust to endogeneity concerns and alternative measures. Second, this relationship varies across sectors (manufacturing versus services), firms with different productivity levels (using the Quantile Regression Method), and industries within the services sector. Finally, a Probit Regression Model demonstrates that increased adoption of digital infrastructure and improved productivity facilitate entry into international markets. The study highlights the importance of a ‘bottom-up approach’ in policy measures aimed at promoting digital transformation and enhancing productivity in unorganized sector MSMEs, thereby enabling their global competitiveness.