This book investigates the causal relationship between economic liberalization policies and the subsequent shifts in productivity and market competition within the Indian manufacturing sector. Vivek Srivastava utilizes firm-level data provided by the Reserve Bank of India to construct a rigorous empirical framework. By analyzing micro-level industrial performance during the 1980s, the author evaluates how regulatory changes influenced corporate efficiency and competitive dynamics. The study provides a quantitative assessment of the structural adjustments occurring within the Indian economy during this pivotal decade.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the micro-level impacts of Indian economic reforms. Researchers frequently cite the study for its pioneering use of firm-level data to measure industrial productivity during a period of significant policy transition.