SEWA - A case on social entrepreneursip

• Main Author: Mishra, Jagriti
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: HB Economic Theory
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/15326/1/TC19.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/15326/; http://www.icsc2014.uum.edu.my/
• Institution: Universiti Utara Malaysia

This case recounts the story of SEWA, a social entrepreneurial venture propounded by Padma Shri Runa Banerjee with the objectives of empowering women artisans to establish sustainable livelihood conditions by combating the problems of poverty and unemployment. Over the years SEWA has trained several artisans in the art of Chikankari and provided them with employment options by involving these women in its production, retailing and supervisory activities.The firm has been dealing with both export and domestic orders since past thirty years.It mostly sells through exhibitions; its retail presence is limited with its single store located in Hazratganj, Lucknow.This case delineates how SEWA started up, its social initiatives and skill upgradation programmes to support Chikankari workers.The case is based on the findings of field research conducted at SEWA Lucknow.The research was conducted using qualitative techniques such as observation and in-depth interviews with the company CEO, marketing, retail and production teams, the supervisors and the artisans.