18. Microfinance in South India

Capitalism: Success, Crisis and Reform (PLSC 270)

Professor Rae teaches the SELCO business case, about a distributed electric power generation scheme targeting rural Indians. In presenting the case, Professor Rae discusses several analytical frameworks for thinking through business cases, including SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats), and the Porter Forces. Issues with SELCO's business model are discussed, including the scalability of their operations, and capacity to break into higher margin markets. SELCO's financing structure and partnership with a local microfinance institution are also explored. Students offer suggestions about how to improve SELCO's business.

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Fall 2009.