Levelling the Field Through Education: Social Entrepreneurial Approaches to Upskilling in the Informal Economy
Bagchi Siddhant[1] and Prakash Om[2]
Abstract
Purpose: This paper conceptually examines how education-led social entrepreneurship functions as a levelling mechanism to address skill-based inequities within the informal economy, with specific reference to the Indian context.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopts a descriptive and conceptual research design based on an extensive review of secondary literature drawn from development economics, education studies, social entrepreneurship, and labour market analysis. The paper integrates theoretical constructs to establish relational linkages among education, upskilling, social entrepreneurship, and informality.
Findings: The study demonstrates that conventional education and skill-development frameworks inadequately serve informal workers due to structural exclusion, contextual mismatch, and institutional fragmentation. Education, when reimagined as a capability-enhancing and context-sensitive process, emerges as a critical enabler of equity. Social enterprises act as intermediary institutional agents that democratise access to education, legitimise experiential learning, and align skills with livelihood realities. Upskilling is identified as a developmental process focused on refinement, recognition, and scalability of existing capabilities rather than initial skill creation.
Implications: The study highlights important implications for education policy, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and inclusive development frameworks. It underscores the need for integrated policy approaches that formally recognise informal learning and support education-focused social enterprises.
Originality/Value: By conceptually synthesising education, social entrepreneurship, and informal economy discourse, the paper advances an equity-oriented framework for understanding upskilling as a pathway to inclusive development.
Keywords : Social Entrepreneurship; Education; Upskilling; Informal Economy; Inclusive Development; Levelling the Field
DOI link – https://doi.org/10.69758/GIMRJ/2512I10VXIIIP0009
[1] Research Scholar, Prof. Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University. Email – siddhantsocial@gmail.com
[2] Principal, HNB Govt. PG College, Prof. Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University
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