Mapping the Knowledge Landscape of Informal Manufacturing: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda for Assam's Overlooked Sector

Abstract

The informal manufacturing sector represents a critical yet understudied component of regional economies in developing countries. This systematic literature review examines the global knowledge base on informal manufacturing to identify research gaps specific to Assam, India's northeastern state. Through a PRISMA guided analysis of 46 studies from 2016-2024, we reveal a striking contradiction while informal manufacturing constitutes a significant portion of economic activity in developing regions, Assam-specific research continues to be negligible. This paper contributes to the literature by synthesizing global patterns in informal manufacturing research, developing a theoretical framework for understanding regional variations in informal manufacturing dynamics, and proposing a comprehensive research agenda for Assam's informal manufacturing sector. Our findings reveal that informal manufacturing is driven by complex interactions between institutional factors, socioeconomic conditions, and technological capabilities, yet these dynamics remain unexplored, leading us to outline priority research areas and methodological approaches needed to address this critical knowledge gap.