Research methodology This case study is based on qualitative data collected through a series of semistructured interviews with key members of the Sakhi Saheli collective (anonymized), including founding members, core committee representatives and district-level coordinators. These interviews were conducted over multiple interactions and focused on understanding the evolution of the organization’s digital practices, coordination mechanisms and decision-making processes.The primary emphasis of data collection was on organizational procedures and workflows, particularly in relation to communication, financial coordination and event management. Respondents were encouraged to share detailed accounts of how digital tools, especially WhatsApp, were used in day-to-day operations, as well as the challenges encountered as the organization scaled. To enhance the richness and accuracy of the narrative, interview insights were supplemented with secondary material, including internal communication artifacts (e.g. screenshots of anonymized chat interactions, sample documents and process descriptions) and publicly available information about the organization’s activities.The case study adopts an interpretive approach, aiming to capture the lived experiences and practices of participants rather than to test predefined hypotheses. Care was taken to triangulate information across multiple respondents to ensure consistency and reliability of key events and processes described in the case. To protect confidentiality, all names, identifying details and sensitive information have been anonymized, and the focus has been deliberately maintained at the level of organizational processes rather than individual-level data.This methodology enables the case to provide a realistic and contextually grounded account of how digital tools are appropriated in grassroots organizational settings, while maintaining ethical standards of research and participant privacy. Case overview/synopsis This case study explores the digital evolution of Sakhi Saheli, a women-led collective originally founded as a Facebook group to promote vernacular language and culture in India. As the community grew into a decentralized network of thousands of women across towns and villages in India and other parts of the world, WhatsApp became the primary tool for coordination. Over time, the platform began performing multiple organizational functions, from communication and task assignment to financial decision-making and document sharing, effectively becoming an informal ERP system. The case highlights the phenomenon of “platform drift,” where a communication app assumes enterprise-level roles in the absence of formal infrastructure. It offers students a rich context to explore digital platform appropriation, IS-strategy alignment, shadow IT and governance challenges in resource-constrained, mission-driven environments. Suitable for courses in Information Systems and Strategy, the case study invites critical discussion on technology choices, informal leadership and scalable digital transformation. Complexity academic level This case study is suitable for postgraduate and advanced undergraduate courses, including MBA, Executive MBA, MSc in Information Systems, Development Studies and courses on Digital Transformation, Social Innovation and Technology for Development. This case is best positioned mid-way through the course, after students have been introduced to digital infrastructure and IT alignment frameworks. It serves as a practical application of concepts like shadow IT, platform governance and digital strategy in low-resource environments.
Ashutosh Jha (Tue,) studied this question.