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Women Online: A Study of Common Service Centers in India Using a Capability Approach

Author

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  • Rajeev, Meenakshi

    (Asian Development Bank Institute)

  • Bhandarkar, Supriya

    (Asian Development Bank Institute)

Abstract

Income-generating activities performed by women are an effective way to reduce gender deprivations and disparities. In the constrained familial and community settings of developing economies, the online platform can be an appropriate means for women to carry out economic activities. In this context, certain important initiatives taken by the Government of India such as the creation of Common Service Centers are worth studying. We critically evaluate such revolutionary online platform-based entrepreneurial initiatives using the capability approach developed by Amartya Sen. We examine how women-run businesses use the online platform and what determines their success, inputs, capabilities, and conversion factors through a case study method. Further, enterprise-level National Sample Survey Organization data at the all-India level are analyzed to show that the states that have a higher level of gender inequality are also the regions with a lower level of information and communication technology usage by women-run enterprises.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajeev, Meenakshi & Bhandarkar, Supriya, 2022. "Women Online: A Study of Common Service Centers in India Using a Capability Approach," ADBI Working Papers 1327, Asian Development Bank Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:adbiwp:1327
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Esther Duflo, 2012. "Women Empowerment and Economic Development," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 50(4), pages 1051-1079, December.
    2. Kaushik, Basu & Lòpez-Calva, Luis F., 2011. "Chapter Sixteen - Functionings and Capabilities," Handbook of Social Choice and Welfare, in: K. J. Arrow & A. K. Sen & K. Suzumura (ed.), Handbook of Social Choice and Welfare, edition 1, volume 2, chapter 16, pages 153-187, Elsevier.
    3. Jacqueline Strenio, 2020. "Time Heals all Wounds? a Capabilities Approach for Analyzing Intimate Partner Violence," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(4), pages 31-55, October.
    4. Ingrid Robeyns, 2005. "Selecting Capabilities for Quality of Life Measurement," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 74(1), pages 191-215, October.
    5. Dass, Rajanish & Bhattacherjee, Atashi, 2011. "Status of Common Service Center Program in India: Issues, Challenges and Emerging Practices for Rollout," IIMA Working Papers WP2011-02-03, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Research and Publication Department.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    common service centers; village-level entrepreneurs; capabilities; online platform; women-run enterprises;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship

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