King's India Institute Director Delivers Talk on Social Capital and Low-Caste Entrepreneurship at TSLAS

Dr. Sunil Mitra Kumar, Director of the King's India Institute in London, gave a guest talk at Thapar School of Liberal Arts and Sciences (TSLAS) about how social capital influences low-caste groups' entrepreneurial outcomes in India's handwoven carpet sector.

 

In his lecture, titled "Can Social Capital Be a Mixed Blessing? The Case of Low-Caste Entrepreneurs in India's Handwoven Carpet Industry," Dr. Kumar examined how different forms of social capital influence business performance. Drawing on survey data from 486 handwoven carpet manufacturing firms, he argued that social capital extends beyond general social networks to include occupational social capital, which is specific to particular industries and professions.

 

The presentation highlighted that while high-caste entrepreneurs often benefit from broader social networks and formal business practices, middle-caste entrepreneurs achieve comparable business outcomes by relying on occupational networks and relationship-based production and marketing strategies. The findings underscored the varied ways in which social capital shapes entrepreneurial success across caste groups.

 

An economist specialising in development economics, inequality, and discrimination, Dr. Kumar also shared insights from his research on caste, race, and gender. The lecture concluded with an interactive discussion, during which students and faculty engaged with questions on social mobility, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.