Technology support from cluster development initiatives to SMEs: a study of motor spare parts enterprises in Sri Lanka

Clusters identified as special type of agglomeration of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) activities in a specific geographical location with unique functional dimensions. Clusters give birth and legs to cluster development initiatives (CDIs), as a strategy to promote and stimulate the growth of the SME sector by breaking the vicious cycle of the SME through collaborative advantage between firms and other SME related key stakeholders. In Sri Lanka, some SME clusters are observed in ad-hoc manner in different industrial sectors and different locations without proper policy coordination. This case study attempts to explore the applicability of a CDI for the SME clusters through Panchikawatte motor spare parts cluster which plays an important role in the Sri Lankan automobile sector. The methodology employed in this study includes interviews with key stakeholders, structured questionnaire survey with Panchikawatte motor spare parts SME executives and supplemented with comprehensive literature survey....