Empowerment is an integral element of a democratic system. The maturity of a democracy is directly related to the level of empowerment its citizens and institutions experience. The term 'empowerment' is used in different contexts and this book addresses this problem through a comparative analysis of three major organisational systems - business government and social development. The book presents a new conceptual framework for understanding the process of empowerment. It combines case studies specially for this volume with secondary data and the author's first hand experience of working with development organisations. The differential understanding of empowerment in various organisational contexts helps to promote cross-sectoral learning and contributes to a qualitative shift in empowering society as a whole.

Part I: The Setting 1. The Context of Empowerment 2. The Indian Realities 3. Empowerment and Corporate Social Responsibility Part II Nature of Empowerment in Three Different Organisational Systems 1. Business Organisation 2. Government and Governance 3. Social Development Organisations Part III Towards a Framework for Empowerment Strand 1. Process Orientation Strand 2. Bases of Power Strand 3. Organising and Organisation Strand 4. Mainstreaming Strand 5. Representative Organisations Empowering Society Appendix I - Cross Section of Views on Empowerment Appendix II - Perceptions of Empowerment Appendix III - Case Studies: Excel Industries Ltd. Gujarat Ambuja Cements Ltd. Tata Chemicals Ltd. Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. Indian Farmers Fertliser Cooperative Ltd Select Bibliography Index

With reference to India.