Appalachian By Design, a non-profit economic development venture, focused for over 13 years on creating a knitting industry in rural Appalachia. In 2006, Appalachian Baby Design separated and began anew and can be reached via www.appalachianbaby.com
A case study of the Appalachian By Design's history, strategy and its impact on the region is now available. For reprint information contact info@abdinc.org.
Following is the synopsis of the report:
Case Study of Appalachian By Design/Synopsis
A Social Enterprise using a Sector Strategy
Appalachian By Design (ABD) developed a social enterprise to creatively address the isolation and lack of job opportunities that have been perennial problems in mid-Appalachia, particularly for women. The organization introduced machine knitting in the region and then built the support systems to grow the industry through a technical knitting apprenticeship, a distributed production network and a national marketing program.
ABD’s strategy fuses micro-enterprise, workforce training and asset development to meet its mission. However, the framework it found that fit best its strategy was identified in a 1995 report by the Aspen Institute titled Defining and Assessing Sector Initiatives written by Peggy Clark and Steve Dawson.
Clark and Dawson studied programs that focused on services and supports for one occupation sector and set forth the following definition of what constitutes a sectoral project:
- Targets a specific industry
- Develops deep knowledge of the sector by becoming a “player” in the industry
- Implements training and other strategies that benefit low-income individuals
- Works toward systemic change
This case study explores how ABD’s business strategy exemplified this definition and how operating within the sectoral framework contributed both to its success as a social enterprise and its struggle to create a sustainable business. Its intent is to give the student a sense of a social venture fulfilling its mission and the challenges of reaching this mission through a sectoral strategy.
