Social Enterprises and Sustainable Development: Evidence from India with Special Reference to Kerala
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
This study examines the growing significance of social entrepreneurship as an emerging business paradigm that integrates economic objectives with social impact. In the Indian context where persistent challenges such as unemployment, socio-economic inequality, and the rural urban divide continue despite rapid advancements in digital and financial technologies social enterprises have evolved as innovative and sustainable solution providers. With particular reference to SELCO Foundation and the Chekutty Dolls Project, the study explores the role of social entrepreneurship in promoting sustainable community development in Kerala.
The SELCO case highlights how decentralized renewable energy solutions can enhance livelihoods, improve access to healthcare and education, and foster financial inclusion among marginalized populations. In contrast, the Chekutty initiative illustrates how grassroots innovation and upcycling practices can facilitate post-disaster economic recovery, support traditional artisans, and contribute to environmental sustainability. The findings indicate that social enterprises play a pivotal role in addressing complex societal challenges while advancing social inclusion, ecological responsibility, and employment generation.
Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of integrating experiential and research-driven social entrepreneurship education into university curricula to nurture future change-makers. Overall, social enterprises emerge as critical drivers of inclusive and sustainable development in India, with particular relevance to the socio-economic landscape of Kerala.
Downloads
References
Bansal, S., Garg, I., & Sharma, G. D. (2019). Social entrepreneurship as a path for social change and driver of sustainable development: A systematic review and research agenda. Sustainability, 11(4), 1091. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041091
Buy Social Canada. (2026, February 12). What is a social enterprise? https://www.buysocialcanada.com/learn/what-is-social-enterprise
Doherty, B., Haugh, H., & Lyon, F. (2014). Social enterprises as hybrid organisations: A review and research agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews, 16(4), 417–436. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12028
Doughnut Economics Action Lab. (2024). SELCO India: Doughnut design case study. https://doughnuteconomics.org/stories/selco-india-doughnut-design-case-study
G, H., Raj, P., & State Bank of India, Kottayam. (2023). Social entrepreneurship in Kerala: A study of She Taxi service in Kerala. International Research Journal of Management Sociology & Humanity, 14(8), 62–64.
Harvard Business School. (2024). IFC India 2024: SELCO—Last mile solar powered energy for rural India. https://www.hbs.edu/environment/blog/post/IFC-India-2024-SELCO
Light, P. C., Dees, J. G., Anderson, B. B., Massarsky, C. W., Leviner, N., Crutchfield, L. R., Kerlin, J. A., & Wade, J. A. (2006). Research on social entrepreneurship: Understanding and contributing to an emerging field. ARNOVA Occasional Paper Series.
Miller, K. (2020, December 8). The triple bottom line: What it is & why it’s important. Harvard Business School. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/what-is-the-triple-bottom-line
Noya, A., & Lecamp, G. (1999). Social enterprises. OECD. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/1999/11/social-enterprises_g1ghg2bd/9789264182332-en.pdf
Parvathi Benu. (2024, March 1). The Chekutty story: How a doll became a symbol of hope for Kerala’s weavers after the floods. EdexLive. https://www.edexlive.com/news/the-chekutty-story-how-a-doll-became-a-symbol-of-hope-for-keralas-weavers-after-the-floods-7824.html
Prakasam, N. (2025, August 17). Why we need a research-based social entrepreneurship course in Indian academia. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/education/why-we-need-a-research-based-social-entrepreneurship-course-in-indian-academia/article69925772.ece
Thomas, A. M. (2026). An empirical investigation into the dynamics of social entrepreneurship in Kerala: A case study of “Pure Living.” Open MIND. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18493298
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles published in our journal are licensed under CC-BY 4.0, which permits authors to retain copyright of their work. This license allows for unrestricted use, sharing, and reproduction of the articles, provided that proper credit is given to the original authors and the source.