Circular Social Innovation: A New Paradigm for India’s Sustainable Development

Abstract

Although there has been a growing focus on social innovations and social enterprises in India over the past decade, the country’s high economic growth based on the linear economic development model is getting clouded by increasing environmental damage, resource scarcity and, paradoxically, persistent poverty for a significant section of the population. Policy makers and businesses around the world are increasingly looking towards the ‘circular economy model’, which aims to enable effective flow of materials, energy, labour and information so that natural and social capital can be rebuilt. This chapter examines the numerous opportunities for social enterprises to contribute to the journey towards a circular economy in India through the paradigm of ‘Circular Social Innovation’ (CSI). It begins by delineating the scope and potential for social enterprises in India by looking beyond the conventional ‘social impact’ domains, given the spectrum of social and environmental challenges in India. Subsequently, it analyses in depth the role and interlinkages between social enterprises, social innovation and circular economy in the context of sustainable development. Next, it proposes and defines CSI as the new paradigm to address the challenges against sustainable development by combining the forces of social innovation, social enterprises and the circular economy. The distinguishing characteristics of this paradigm are illustrated using suitable examples of CSI enterprises from diverse sectors. In conclusion, it highlights the relevance of pursuing the CSI paradigm, given the intensity and interwoven nature of sustainable development challenges in emerging economies like India.