abstract

This paper examines the significance of social entrepreneurship through a case study of Pure Living, a social enterprise based in Kerala. Pure Living integrates a social mission with economic sustainability. The study employs the Triple Bottom Line framework, which evaluates People, Planet, and Profit. It applies Social Innovation Theory to analyze how social enterprises address social and environmental challenges while maintaining financial stability. The research adopts a qualitative case study approach, drawing primarily on secondary sources such as organizational reports, media articles, and academic literature. Kerala’s distinctive social and cultural context is also considered to provide a comprehensive understanding of Pure Living’s operations. The findings indicate that Pure Living generates value by aligning ethical production, sustainable sourcing, and community engagement with its business objectives. By promoting responsible consumption, supporting local artisans, and implementing environmentally sustainable practices, Pure Living demonstrates how business can contribute to broader social and environmental objectives. The case illustrates that social entrepreneurship can transcend charitable models to establish self-sustaining enterprises with tangible social impact and economic benefits. The study further emphasizes that Kerala’s supportive environment, characterized by high social awareness, strong community networks, and enabling policies, is crucial for the success and expansion of social enterprises. By connecting theoretical frameworks to practical examples, this paper argues that social entrepreneurship in Kerala offers a viable and replicable alternative to conventional profit-driven business models. Overall, the study provides insights into the operation of social enterprises in a developing context and offers practical guidance for researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers aiming to foster ethical, inclusive, and environmentally responsible entrepreneurship that balances profit with social and environmental objectives.