Conducting Research in South Asian Small and Medium Enterprises: Questions about Methods

Abstract

South Asia, comprising of more than eight emerging economies, is the second poorest region in the world. Among the many challenges commonly found within this region, poverty is one of the biggest. The literature reveals that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in achieving economic development. Recognising the importance of this sector, the governments of the South Asian region, attempt to provide more SME support in their quest to secure a sustainable growth particularly during this turbulent time. Consequently, more researchers are studying the practices and activities of these enterprises. The main objective of this paper is to propose suitable research methods for SME related research projects based on Sri Lankan experience. Our study reveals that face-to-face surveys are more suitable for collecting quantitative data while in-depth-interviews-based case studies provide a useful way to capture qualitative data which help to improve the reliability and validity of research.