Collective Entrepreneurship through Tribal SHGs: A Pathway to Sustainable Livelihoods

Abstract

Purpose – This paper examines tribal Self-Help Groups (SHGs) as ecosystems integrating financial inclusion, social capital formation and enterprise development, and assesses their capacity to generate sustainable livelihoods in regions marked by poverty, geographical isolation and weak institutional access. Design/methodology/approach – Adopting a qualitative theoretical design grounded in the Sustainable Livelihood Framework, Social Capital Theory and Collective Entrepreneurship Theory, the study analyzes secondary data on documented tribal enterprises, including the Araku Coffee cooperative (Andhra Pradesh) and Mission Shakti SHGs (Odisha). Findings – Collective enterprise enhances income stability, women’s empowerment, social cohesion and community resilience. SHGs operate as hybrid socio-economic institutions, not merely microfinance units, embedding economic activity in social relations and indigenous knowledge systems. Limited infrastructure, weak branding and restricted market access constrain scalability, and financial inclusion alone is insufficient without institutional support, skill development and market integration. Research limitations/implications – Reliance on documented secondary cases limits generalizability; field-based comparative studies are needed to validate the ecosystem perspective. Practical implications – The findings call for long-term capacity building, digital inclusion, branding assistance and strategic partnerships with NGOs and government agencies. Social implications – Strengthened SHG ecosystems can sustain cultural identity and ecological balance while advancing grassroots entrepreneurship aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Originality/value – By integrating three theoretical lenses, the paper reconceptualizes tribal SHGs as community enterprise ecosystems and positions them as viable models for transforming tribal economies into resilient community enterprise networks.