中小企業의 殘存理論에 관한 考察

A Study on Survival Theory of Medium and Small Scale Industry

One of the fundamental phenomena in the capitalist economy is the concentration and accumulation of capital, which tend to accelerate a growth toward larger scales of business enterprises. While this is true, there is an equally strong tendency on the part of medium and small scale industry to remain in existence under capitalism. This thesis is primarily written to make a summary study of theories concerning such a tendency under a capitalist economy. To present an over-all picture, the writer epitomized in the thesis two opposing theories: those concerning "extinction of medium and small scale industry" advocated by such scholars as J.A. Hobson, K. Marx, and G. Schmoller, and those on survival of medium and small scale industry chiefly maintained by E. Bernstein, K. Kautsky, and A.D.H. Kaplan, etc. It goes without saying, however, that from the viewpoint of modern economics, both A. Marshall and J. Steindl, there are two great theorists on medium and small scale industry. Marshall built his theory on "representative firm" based on the theory of perfect competition. On the other hand, Steindl propounded a theory that there exists a certain "gap" between large scale industry and medium and small industry. He based his "gap" theory on the theory of imperfect competition. Thus, Steindl challenged Marshall's theory of "representative firm" with what could now be credited as more actual theory of "gap"-that granting oligopoly exists, the medium and small scale industry does also exist in its own right. The writer attempted an elaboration on Steindl's theory in the thesis. And it seems that medium and small scale industry does survive because of imperfect capital movements. Despite Steindl's theory, a vital question at issue is now whether his theory is also applicable to Korea which is still in a underdeveloped stage. The writer should note that he found Steindl's theory not applicable in terms of reality in Korean economy. Pending further study, it should be pointed out that, here in Korea, not all the large scale industries are making more profit than the small scale ones, and that comparison between labor productivity and market conditions leaves much room for an over-all re-examination of Steindl's theory. Theoretically, medium and small scale industries in Korea are much different in their nature from those in advanced countries as U.S.A. Here they are given vital gravity in the national economic structure, and the writer shares a prevailing view that emphasis must be placed on further protecting and developing the medium and small scale industry in the country.