Essence of Social Entrepreneurship: Jayshree Industries - a Case Study

Abstract

The above quote fits perfectly with the story of the Social Entrepreneur – Mr. ArunachalamMuruganantham – the Menstrual Man (as he is known for his contribution) from Coimbatore. He is the inventor of a low-cost sanitary pad making machine, and has innovated grass-root mechanisms for generating awareness about traditional unhygienic practices around menstruation in rural India.Mr. Arunachalam’s journey of learning about the problems that rural women face , building awareness about those problems, developing an innovative machine for manufacturing low cost sanitary napkins and creating earning opportunities for rural women by supplying those machines to rural areas and NGOs has faced one a many challenges along the way. It has however been a journey of learning, satisfaction and feeling content at having done something for the society.This case study intends to highlight the essence of social entrepreneurship and its distinctiveness when compared to commercial entrepreneurship or charity work and to bring out critical entrepreneurial learnings that can be of relevance for other aspiring entrepreneurs from a management perspective.