1Assistant Professor, Division For Social Inclusion, Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad, Email- kamblepradeep25@gmail.com
2Professor and Director, Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad, Email- revathi@cess.ac.in
Online published on 22 September, 2023.
The role of entrepreneurship in inclusive development of the economy is widely recognised by policy makers and academicians. The present study analyses various dimensions of entrepreneurship among one of the disadvantaged groups in India, namely, the SCs. The study used primary data collected from 162 SC and 60 non-SC entrepreneurs in five districts of Telangana. The findings of the empirical investigation indicate that there is a changing attitude of entrepreneurship among the SCs. Countering the previous studies on entrepreneurship among disadvantaged groups in India, the present study indicates that entrepreneurship among the SCs is positively motivated with dominance of non- pecuniary motives and they are eager to be independent rather than being in the shadow of economic distress. Moreover, SC entrepreneurs are involved in similar value-added sectors like others, managed to employ similar level of fixed capital and workers as others, managed to report similar level of growth in size, and managed to secure formal credit like banks for their fixed capital requirements.
Entrepreneurship, Disadvantaged groups, Non-pecuniary motives, Networking, Investment, Employment, Scheduled Castes
