Entrepreneurial ecosystem and social entrepreneurship: case studies of community-based craft from Kutch, India
Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy
ISSN: 1750-6204
Article publication date: 21 September 2020
Issue publication date: 21 June 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore social entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) in the craft sector in the state of Gujarat, India. With liberalization, India witnessed the growth of social entrepreneurship and is considered one of the pioneering countries in social innovation. The objective of the research was to answer the research question: what role do various stakeholder groups play in creating and promoting craft sector social EEs.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based on a qualitative case study approach of methodological triangulation combining analysing documents, a participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Two case studies – one of the Ajrakh craft cluster from Ajrakhpur and the other of Kala Cotton from Aadeshar, Bhuj are studied to explore the symbiotic linkages of social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Kutch district of Gujarat, India. A total of 24 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with stakeholders of the EE.
Findings
The study concludes that the role of like-minded individuals/social entrepreneurs, social enterprises, design networks and educational institutions is vital towards revival and sustainability of craft as economic commodities geared for scalability. Furthermore, the engagement of the systemic condition agents such as various local and national level institutions, the communities play an important role to revitalize, redeem and commercialize craft infrastructure based on active engagement, innovation and services.
Originality/value
This paper fulfils an identified need to study how traditional craft-based enterprises can be enabled, revived, grown and sustained.
Keywords
Citation
Pathak, S. and Mukherjee, S. (2021), "Entrepreneurial ecosystem and social entrepreneurship: case studies of community-based craft from Kutch, India", Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 350-374. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-06-2020-0112
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited