scholarly journals Net-zero emission vehicles shift and equitable ownership in low-income households and communities: why responsible and circularity business models are essential

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nana O. Bonsu
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Zero Emission ◽  
The Uk

AbstractThe UK Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution aims to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Current business models for EV ownership and the transition to net-net zero emissions are not working for households in the lowest income brackets. However, low-income communities bear the brunt of environmental and health illnesses from transport air pollution caused by those living in relatively more affluent areas. Importantly, achieving equitable EV ownership amongst low-and middle-income households and driving policy goals towards environmental injustice of air pollution and net-zero emissions would require responsible and circular business models. Such consumer-focused business models address an EV subscription via low-income household tax rebates, an EV battery value-chain circularity, locally-driven new battery technological development, including EV manufacturing tax rebates and socially innovative mechanisms. This brief communication emphasises that consumer-led business models following net-zero emission vehicles shift and decisions must ensure positive-sum outcomes. And must focus not only on profits and competitiveness but also on people, planet, prosperity and partnership co-benefits.

scholarly journals Experiences and impact of international medical volunteering: a multi-country mixed methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e041599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary McCauley ◽  
Joanna Raven ◽  
Nynke van den Broek
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Medical Volunteers ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveTo assess the experience and impact of medical volunteers who facilitated training workshops for healthcare providers in maternal and newborn emergency care in 13 countries.SettingsBangladesh, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, UK and Zimbabwe.ParticipantsMedical volunteers from the UK (n=162) and from low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) (n=138).Outcome measuresExpectations, experience, views, personal and professional impact of the experience of volunteering on medical volunteers based in the UK and in LMIC.ResultsUK-based medical volunteers (n=38) were interviewed using focus group discussions (n=12) and key informant interviews (n=26). 262 volunteers (UK-based n=124 (47.3%), and LMIC-based n=138 (52.7%)) responded to the online survey (62% response rate), covering 506 volunteering episodes. UK-based medical volunteers were motivated by altruism, and perceived volunteering as a valuable opportunity to develop their skills in leadership, teaching and communication, skills reported to be transferable to their home workplace. Medical volunteers based in the UK and in LMIC (n=244) reported increased confidence (98%, n=239); improved teamwork (95%, n=232); strengthened leadership skills (90%, n=220); and reported that volunteering had a positive impact for the host country (96%, n=234) and healthcare providers trained (99%, n=241); formed sustainable partnerships (97%, n=237); promoted multidisciplinary team working (98%, n=239); and was a good use of resources (98%, n=239). Medical volunteers based in LMIC reported higher satisfaction scores than those from the UK with regards to impact on personal and professional development.ConclusionHealthcare providers from the UK and LMIC are highly motivated to volunteer to increase local healthcare providers’ knowledge and skills in low-resource settings. Further research is necessary to understand the experiences of local partners and communities regarding how the impact of international medical volunteering can be mutually beneficial and sustainable with measurable outcomes.

scholarly journals The Role of Social Enterprise Hybrid Business Models in Inclusive Value Chain Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 499
Author(s):  
Bob Doherty ◽  
Pichawadee Kittipanya-Ngam
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Low Middle Income Countries ◽  
Development Literature ◽  
Hybrid Organisations

This study contributes to the growing interest in hybrid organisations, sustainable business models and inclusive value chain development (IVCD). Recent work has identified that of some 570 million farmers in the world, more than 475 million farmers are smallholders in low-middle-income countries experiencing increasing food insecurity and rural poverty. Research argues that there is a lack of research that provides work on appropriate solutions for smallholders. This paper answers this call by a qualitative study of ten case studies, which draws on hybrid organising, sustainable business model and IVCD research to identify the novel business model characteristics that hybrid organisations use to create and manage more inclusive value chains for smallholders. These hybrid organisations are designed to create a value proposition that delivers sustainability upgrading for smallholders via both product, process and governance upgrades, empowers smallholders to achieve development goals and creates multiple value for social impact. We therefore identify the important characteristics of the hybrid business model to provide appropriate solutions for smallholders and overcome the challenges identified in the inclusive value chain development literature.

Suppliers in the privatised UK wastewater market and their possible moves towards integrated solutions

Water Policy ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 559-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotta Windahl
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Support Services ◽  
System Integration ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Spare Parts ◽  
New Business ◽  
Water Companies ◽  
The Uk ◽  
New Business Models ◽  
New Strategies

An increasing number of companies in the capital goods industry are turning towards new strategies where the focus is to add value for customers by providing integrated solutions (combining products and services), instead of selling components, spare parts and support services. These new strategies represent moves in the value chain and create a need for new business models as well as new competencies. In this paper, the fairly new concept of integrated solutions is explored in the context of a privatised industry. The findings are based on empirical case studies carried out at two companies supplying products and services to the UK wastewater industry. In the UK, both water companies and their suppliers are influenced by economic and environmental regulations, an increased focus on cost, and outsourcing. On one hand, the two manufacturers have increased their competence with respect to system integration and operational services – competencies for supplying integrated solutions. On the other hand, a fragmented and vertically structured market with a multitude of different actors increases the distance between the water companies and the manufacturers. In addition, the division of the industry into a capital and operational side complicates the coordination between new sales and services.

scholarly journals Are Poor Parents Poor Parents? The Relationship between Poverty and Parenting among Mothers in the UK

Sociology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 003803852093939
Author(s):  
Kerris Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Parenting Skills ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Mainstream Media ◽  
Political Discourses ◽  
Low Income Mothers ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Income Gradient ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Parenting Behaviours

Low-income parents have long been demonised in both political discourses and mainstream media, portrayed as lacking in parenting skills not just financial resources. Using the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) this article examines to what extent there are differences in the parenting of low-income mothers by examining parenting behaviours of low-, middle- and high-income mothers. The findings show that where there are negative differences in the parenting of low-income mothers these are often part of a broader income gradient that extends all the way up the distribution, rather than unique to low-income mothers. Furthermore, there are some positive differences in parenting among low-income mothers compared to middle-income mothers. These findings have important implications: low-income parents are not an unusual or deviant group parenting differently to everyone else. The findings suggest more attention ought to be given to parenting differences higher up the income distribution. In focusing on low-income parents only, existing evidence exaggerates differences and wrongly identifies low-income parents as problematic.

scholarly journals Is overseas volunteering beneficial to the NHS? The analysis of volunteers’ responses to a feedback questionnaire following experiences in low-income and middle-income countries

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e017517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Yeomans ◽  
Grace Le ◽  
Hemant Pandit ◽  
Chris Lavy
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Feedback Questionnaire ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Uk

IntroductionLocally requested and planned overseas volunteering in low-income and middle-income countries by National Health Service (NHS) staff can have benefits for the host or receiving nation, but its impact on the professional development of NHS staff is not proven. The Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) and Leadership Framework (LF) are two tools used by employers as a measure of individuals' development. We have used dimensions from both tools as a method of evaluating the benefit to NHS doctors who volunteer overseas.Methods88 NHS volunteers participating with local colleagues in Primary Trauma Care and orthopaedic surgical training courses in sub-Saharan Africa were asked to complete an online self-assessment questionnaire 6 months following their return to the UK. The survey consisted of questions based on qualities outlined in both the KSF and LF.Results85 completed responses to the questionnaire were received. In every KSF domain assessed, the majority of volunteers agreed that their overseas volunteering experience improved their practice within the NHS. Self-assessed pre-course and post-course scores evaluating the LF also saw a universal increase, notably in the ‘working with others’ domain.DiscussionThere is a growing body of literature outlining the positive impact of overseas volunteering on NHS staff. Despite increasing evidence that such experiences can develop volunteers’ essential skills, individuals often find it difficult to gain support of their employers. Our study, in line with the current literature, shows that overseas volunteering by NHS staff can provide an opportunity to enhance professional and personal development. Skills gained from volunteering within international links match many of the qualities outlined in both KSF and LF, directly contributing to volunteers’ continued professional development.

scholarly journals Detection of risk for depression among adolescents in diverse global settings: protocol for the IDEA qualitative study in Brazil, Nepal, Nigeria and the UK

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. e034335
Author(s):  
Syed Shabab Wahid ◽  
Gloria A. Pedersen ◽  
Katherine Ottman ◽  
Abigail Burgess ◽  
Kamal Gautam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Adolescent Depression ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Theory Of Change ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Cultural Heterogeneity ◽  
The Uk

IntroductionGlobally, depression is a leading cause of disability among adolescents, and suicide rates are increasing among youth. Treatment alone is insufficient to address the issue. Early identification and prevention efforts are necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality. The Identifying Depression Early in Adolescence (IDEA) consortium is developing risk detection strategies that incorporate biological, psychological and social factors that can be evaluated in diverse global populations. In addition to epidemiological and neuroscience research, the IDEA consortium is conducting a qualitative study to explore three domains of inquiry: (1) cultural heterogeneity of biopsychosocial risk factors and lived experience of adolescent depression in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC); (2) the feasibility, acceptability and ethics of a risk calculator tool for adolescent depression that can be used in LMIC and high-income countries and (3) capacity for biological research into biomarkers for depression risk among adolescents in LMIC. This is a multisite qualitative study being conducted in Brazil, Nepal, Nigeria and the UK.Methods and analysisA systematic set of qualitative methods will be used in this study. The Delphi method, Theory of Change (ToC) workshops, key-informant interviews and focus group discussions will be used to elicit perspectives on the study topics from a broad range of stakeholders (adolescents, parents, policy-makers, teachers, health service providers, social workers and experts). Delphi panellists will participate in three survey rounds to generate consensus through facilitated feedback. Stakeholders will create ToC models via facilitated workshops in the LMIC sites. The framework approach will be used to analyse data from the study.Ethics and disseminationEthical approvals were received from the Ethics Review Board of George Washington University and from site-specific institutions in Brazil, Nepal, Nigeria and the UK. The findings generated from this study will be reported in highly accessed, peer-reviewed, scientific and health policy journals.

scholarly journals Promoting Business Inclusivity for Sustainable Livelihoods among the Zimbabwean Poor

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 224
Author(s):  
Leonard Mbira ◽  
Mbongiseni Ncube
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Entrepreneurial Culture ◽  
Inclusive Business ◽  
Developed Nations

The Zimbabwean economy has nose-dived since the long decade era of hyperinflation resulting in serious economic depression, extreme poverty and unemployment. Regrettably, lack of an entrepreneurial culture has become a huge obstacle to the resuscitation of the economy. Developing inclusive business models incorporating livelihood opportunities for social bottom line has long been suggested as the solution for economically distressed less developed nations facing high levels of unemployment. This study sought to explore factors that disincentivise Zimbabweans from seeking and initiating value creating business opportunities that are low income inclusive and further presents strategies to infuse an entrepreneurial investment culture. It adopts the survey design approach in collection of data. The study identifies lack of skills and knowledge, lack of access to financial markets, unfavorable business environment and regulatory system, perceived high risk and poor infrastructure as the main impediments to the integration of the poor communities in to the value chain.

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