Understanding the experiences and perspectives of packaging MSME unit owners in Ujjain district: Policy, cluster development, and ecosystem challenges

Background: India's packaging industry is projected to grow from USD 101.12 billion in 2025 to USD 169.73 billion by 2030 (CAGR 10.73%). Packaging MSMEs are critical for supply-chain efficiency and branding, yet research on them remains thin relative to their economic weight, particularly in Tier-2 districts like Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

Objectives: We review evidence on policy delivery, industrial clusters, skills, finance and ecosystem constraints for packaging MSMEs, integrating findings with a pilot thematic analysis of entrepreneurs in Ujjain District.

Methods: Following PRISMA 2020, we identified 115 records, retained 28 after screening and eligibility assessment, and categorized them as methodological baselines, empirical literature, and policy documents. Interviews with two packaging-unit entrepreneurs yielded 48 coded segments, analyzed thematically. Government schemes and bureaucratic delay emerged as the dominant theme (11 segments), followed by business formation and cluster development (8 segments each). Remaining themes included skills development, future outlook, leadership, and operational challenges.

Conclusions: For MSMEs to compete under Industry 4.0, three factors must align: predictable institutional delivery, accessible ecosystem infrastructure, and internal organizational capability. The pilot evidence is exploratory given the limited sample size. Policy priorities include timely capital subsidy release, single-window administration, local skills development, testing facilities, and sub-sector-tailored interventions.