Bridges Between Tradition and Innovation in Ethnomedicine

Abstract

Although it is commonly acknowledged that enterprise development is a crucial element in the process of economic development, numerous projects aimed at promoting small business have not been successful. Recent research has focused greater attention on social networks and on the necessity to adapt the conventional concept of "entrepreneurship" to different cultural settings and the diversity of community needs. The purpose of this paper is to explore the conditions under which community-based enterprises could be an alternative model of entrepreneurial activity to enhance rural livelihoods and promote socio-economic development. The case study is of Gram Mooligai Limited (GMCL), a community-based enterprise in India active in the herbal sector that has been able to deliver interesting results in this respect. Findings from this case study emphasize the importance of seeing entrepreneurial activity in a much more holistic and complex light than conventionally understood.