Measuring the performance of DOST's small enterprise technology upgrading program (SETUP) and its impact to the firm's productivity : the case of Region VIII / Florentino L. Quinones, Jr.

Year : 2014

Number of Pages : 53 leaves

Adviser : Dr. Roger D. Posadas

Executive Summary

The development of a group of diverse and competitive small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is the central theme towards achieving sustainable economic growth. In Asia, SMEs are generally characterized as the driving force of growth, a major positive microeconomic influence to national macroeconomic systems, the highest employment-generating sector and potential tools of poverty alleviation. This occurs by creating self-employment avenues, and significant contributors to a country's industrial production, exports, national income and gross domestic product (GDP). Some advanced economies or developed countries have succeeded because SMEs form a fundamental part of the economy, comprising over 98 percent of the total establishments and contributing to over 65 percent of employment as well as over 50 percent of the GDP. Although the Philippines is more or less similar to the numbers in developed countries where SMEs have contributed substantially to the growth of the economy, this does not guarantee long-term benefits as the government has somewhat exerted minimal efforts in terms of SMEs development policies and incentives-thereby attracting business in the country. It is in this context that the proponent itself, attempts to present the impact assessment of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in Region VIII. Specifically, it seeks to determine the performance of DOST VIII in the implementation of the program the problems and issues encountered the significance of the impacts in terms of production output, sales, employment, productivity and satisfaction rating of the program.