Title: Inclusive development through innovative model: a case of KnidsGreen Pvt Ltd. (India)

Authors: Archana Singh

Addresses: Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, School of Management and Labour Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), VN Purav Marg, Deonar, Mumbai – 400 088 (Maharashtra), India

Abstract: This paper explores the innovative business model of KnidsGreen Private Limited founded by Kaushalendra Kumar, an Ashoka fellow. It is engaged in solving problems of poor and disadvantaged people dependent on the informal vegetable sector (resource poor vegetable growers, vendors, farm labourers, among others), and contributing to inclusive development in the Indian state of Bihar. Using grounded theory approach, this case-study identifies how an innovative business model benefits stakeholders resulting in their inclusive development. The profit-making market-driving approach challenges the perception that this is not a dignified and remunerative activity, sensitising and organising beneficiaries, enhancing productivity and marketability by building formal supply chain network through innovations, partnerships and alliances, backward and forward linkages, benefitting farmers, vendors and consumers, generating employment at grassroots level, eventually making profits. Though based on single case study, the findings are significant for adaptation and replication of this model in all countries encountering similar problem.

Keywords: vegetable supply chains; innovative business models; inclusive development; informal sector; poverty; poor people; disadvantaged people; vegetable growers; vegetable vendors; farm labourers; social entrepreneurship; India; case study; supply chain management; SCM; productivity; marketability; employment; profitability; agriculture; agribusiness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSEI.2014.067118

International Journal of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 2014 Vol.3 No.3, pp.197 - 213

Received: 23 Jul 2014
Accepted: 08 Oct 2014
Published online: 31 Jan 2015 *

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