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Jayaashree Industries: Revolutionising sanitary pad use in India
Case Collection
  • Arcot Desai NARASIMHALU, Singapore Management University
  • Christopher DULA, Singapore Management University
Publication Type
Case
Publication Date
11-2012
Abstract

Arunachalam Muruganantham is a social entrepreneur dedicated to solving India’s menstrual health problems. He developed an unprecedented product as a solution: a low-cost, locally produced sanitary pad. In a paragon effort of frugal innovation, he reverse-engineered the industrial processes used to make sanitary-pads. The result was a small-scale, low-cost machine that could manufacture quality pads sold at a retail price 20% lower than the cheapest mass-produced brands. However, no one bought his pads until his wife began to sell them. After which, the two were unable to keep up with demand. This triggered his realization concerning the importance of including women as stakeholders in the operation. His next step was to figure out a way to increase the availability and access of the pads. He needed an innovative, bottom-of-the-pyramid solution and wanted to create a positive social impact along the entire value chain.

Keyword(s)
  • Social Enterprise,
  • Social Entrepreneur,
  • Social Entrepreneurship,
  • Development,
  • Gender Development,
  • Women,
  • Menstrual Health,
  • Menstrual Hygiene,
  • Hygiene,
  • Feminine Hygiene,
  • Bottom of the Pyramid,
  • Innovation,
  • Frugal Innovation,
  • Women's Groups,
  • Distribution,
  • Sales,
  • Scale Up,
  • Reverse Engineering
Data Source
Field Research
Industry
Feminine Hygiene
Geographic Coverage
India
Temporal Coverage
1998-2012
Publisher
Singapore Management University
Case ID
SMU-12-0046
Comments

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Additional URL
https://cmp.smu.edu.sg/case/2341
Citation Information
Arcot Desai NARASIMHALU and Christopher DULA. "Jayaashree Industries: Revolutionising sanitary pad use in India" (2012) p. 1-11
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/arcotdesai_narasimhalu/49/