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Journal of Business Ethics

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01-12-2012

In Pursuit of Dignity and Social Justice: Changing Lives Through 100 % Inclusion—How Gram Vikas Fosters Sustainable Rural Development

Authors: Nicola M. Pless, Jenny Appel

Published in: Journal of Business Ethics | Issue 3/2012

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Abstract

This case study investigates Gram Vikas’ innovative social entrepreneurial approach to sustainable rural development through its ‘Water and Sanitation Programme’. We explore its key innovation of 100 % inclusion and the process of creating democratic, self-governing management systems. This allows us to demonstrate how a social enterprise tries to realize its vision of “an equitable and sustainable society where people live in peace with dignity”, and ultimately, how it contributes to the United Nations Millennium Goals of improving health, empowering women and breaking the vicious circle of poverty. We also discuss the management challenges that the organisation faces in the area of finance, personnel management and scaling up.

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The United Nations Millennium Goals (MDG) consist of eight international development goals: end poverty and hunger, universal education, gender equality, child health, maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability, and global partnership. These goals are supported by all United Nations member states and the world’s leading development institutions. For more information see the MDG website at: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/bkgd.shtml.

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The program uses a variety of water sources, but if local circumstances allow, zero-energy gravity water supply and water recharging systems are used. Otherwise diesel- or bio-diesel-run pumps are used to pump water from nearby natural sources or wells into the water tanks. Gram Vikas refrains from using unsustainable water sources, such as non-recharging water supplies.

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Title: In Pursuit of Dignity and Social Justice: Changing Lives Through 100 % Inclusion—How Gram Vikas Fosters Sustainable Rural Development
Authors: Nicola M. Pless
Jenny Appel
Publication date: 01-12-2012
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: Journal of Business Ethics / Issue 3/2012
Print ISSN: 0167-4544
Electronic ISSN: 1573-0697
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1415-2

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