Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship (Revised Course Outline)

Abstract:     
Social Entrepreneurship is an emerging field that offers opportunity to young professionals to create societal/economic value on a sustainable basis. According to some reports, globally this is the fastest growing sector and perhaps the only sector that is creating gainful employment worldwide.

Unfortunately, most management students/professionals view social entrepreneurship as a "by charity/ for charity" venture, and not as a self-sustainable & viable entrepreneurial activity. The purpose of the course is to expose the students to viable "business models" through case-studies, which are simultaneously sustainable and/or profitable (though, not necessarily with "profit-making" as the sole aim) and enthuse them to actively think about this as a realistic vocational choice.

In a country like India, where barely 6-7% of the economically active work-force is in the "organized sector", there is a dire need to divert the managerial talent to develop ventures which can add/create value to the rest of the "informal sector" (that accounts for 60% of India's GDP, 68% of income, 30% of agricultural exports, and 40% of manufacturing exports).

Correspondingly, this course aims to help the participants

1. To understand and appreciate the role of (and need for) social entrepreneurship in building a sustainable society.

2. To acquire the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques needed to become an entrepreneur in the social sector.

3. To help them develop sustainable "business" model for building a social enterprise that can make a difference

Keywords: Social Entrepreneurship, Course Outline, XLRI Jamshedpur

JEL Classifications: M13

Working Paper Series