An Assessment of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises that Underwent UP ISSI's Integrated Plant Surveys for the Periode 2006 to 2011

This paper makes an assessment of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that volunteered to become part of the integrated plant surveys (IPS's) that were conducted by the participants of the Managers Course, the flagship program of the University of the Philippines Institute for Small-Scale Industries. The legal definition of MSMEs in the Philippines and the Philippine Standard Industrial Classification provide the framework in profiling the firms that underwent UP ISSI's management audits. Problems faced by these firms under each function area of management (marketing, production, organization and finance) are identified. On the other hand, some of the best practices and coping mechanisms in overcoming the major constraints in the development of MSMEs such as access to finance, technology and skills, information gaps and difficulties with product quality and marketing are also presented. Finally, after presenting the problems encountered by the firms, this paper formulates general recommendations for the government, UP ISSI and the MSMEs being studied.