Social Entrepreneurship for Scalable Solutions Addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at BoP in India

Sandeep Goyal, Anirudh Agrawal*, Bruno S. Sergi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: The study addresses the crucial issue of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and institutional voids in the peri-urban geographies of India. The peri-urban geographies, though within a cosmopolitical city, lack basic amenities like drinking water, sanitation and waste management. We study social entrepreneurial strategies to address these issues and thereby illustrate strategies that could be used to address sustainable development goals.
Design/methodology/approach: The article uses a multiple case study method to understand how social enterprises can provide scalable solutions addressing SDG related issues in India.
Findings: The research found three strategies that can help provide scalable solutions: First, the extensive use of the latest digital technologies to decrease cost and increase reach; second, extensive partnerships across the board; and finally, a focus on social innovations and business models that are accessible, affordable, available and known to the end-users.
Originality/value: The research contributes to institutional voids literature, SDGs literature and scaling of social enterprise literature. The research confirms that institutional voids are entrepreneurial opportunities. The research empirically shows how social enterprises are addressing SDGs at BoP. Finally, the core findings of the article contribute to the scaling of social enterprise literature.
Original languageEnglish
JournalQualitative Research in Organizations and Management
Volume16
Issue number3-4
Pages (from-to)509-529
Number of pages21
ISSN1746-5648
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Bibliographical note

Published online: 22 December 2020.

Keywords

  • Social entrepreneurship
  • Sustainable development goals (SDGs)
  • Base of the pyramid (BOP)
  • Institutional voids
  • India

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