•  
  •  
 

Document Type

Case Study - Invited

Abstract

We describe how community weavers and artisans who operated various Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Karnataka, India, during the pandemic, and how they were able to sustain and grow their business despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. We used data from two rounds of surveys conducted by Shreni Samudaya[1], along with Impactree Data Technologies Private Limited. The textile industry recorded negative growth during the pandemic, with the smaller MSMEs experiencing the biggest losses. Despite numerous enterprises shutting down and facing heavy losses, weavers and artisans were able to sustain and upscale their business, reach out to newer markets and customers. They did so by using Shreni’s digital networking platform that built on existing socio-cultural embeddedness and trust among its members to deepen and expand the network. We detail the role of the Shreni digital platform in building resilience and community in textile industries and explore how digital-enabled networks can be enhanced to play a significant role in inter-community and domestic trade.

[1] Shreni’s founder – Sudhir Kamath and team’s support in enabling the case work on which this paper is based, is gratefully acknowledged (https://www.shrenis.com/about).

Download

Share

COinS