scholarly journals Pursuing Frugal Innovation for Sustainability at the Grassroots Level

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Mokter Hossain ◽  
Jarkko Levänen ◽  
Marleen Wierenga

ABSTRACT Firms are often criticized for their reluctance to embrace sustainability in their business strategies. Frugal innovation is a recent concept that represents a new way for firms to serve underserved customers in developing countries while also promoting sustainability. Based on three cases of frugal innovation at the grassroots level in India, this article demonstrates how frugal innovation presents a promising way to tackle some of today's pressing societal problems with new business models. We use a range of parameters for economic, social, and environmental sustainability to strengthen the case for frugal innovation. This article attempts to inspire scholars to consider frugal innovation further in their future research endeavors and encourage firms to integrate it into their existing business models.

Author(s):  
Tommi Rasila

This paper illustrates the differences between traditional and emerging business models in the recently identified Venture-to-Capital (V2C) area. This area refers to the stage in the development of a company when it is between Venture and Capital, ie. before the idea or the venture is eligible for Venture Capital investment. Many entities exist to assist companies in the V2C operating space. Most obvious taxonomy of the V2C players includes Incubators, Advisors, Business Angels and Classic/Seed VC. All these have different business models, including motive, contribution, incentive and revenue model. There is, however, a large number of new operatives in this field which do not quite fit this traditional taxonomy.In this study, a number of these new operatives are examined and their business models outlined. When comparing the traditional and new business models, three observations are made as conclusions: New models are hybrids of traditional models with only some new features; Contributing intellectual capital in the sense of sweat capital or business knowledge is seen as a key requisite; Trend goes towards obtaining equity interest in the target company for upside potential in the compensation. This study paves way to future research in creating new taxonomy for Venture-to-Capital operatives and delineating a best practice to the practitioners in the field.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-41
Author(s):  
Anabela Mesquita ◽  
Paula Peres

Distance learning has evolved a lot since the moment students received materials by mail and as regular correspondence. At that time, students worked already at their own pace and concluded training according to their professional work and agenda. Today, although courses by correspondence still exist, they are being quickly replaced by distance learning. And the success of this format of education are at the basis of the emergence of different offers and new business models. The success of adoption of technology depends on several factors related with the organization where it is implemented and with the individuals involved. In this paper, the authors will present a case, the evolution of the solutions offered concerning distance learning in the school under study, the actual offers and the concerns for the future. The authors will identify the factors that enabled or constrained this evolution. They will also raise some questions that are still unanswered and will point out some clues for future research.


Author(s):  
Jose Ramon Saura ◽  
Pedro R. Palos-Sanchez ◽  
Marisol B. Correia

One of the most significant changes in the last decade in the business environment has been caused by the development of information technologies and the internet. The internal structure and organization of companies has changed to evolve towards a digital environment influenced by internet business models and digital marketing (DM) techniques. This chapter develops a systematic literature review with the objective of identifying the key players in the business environment with respect to the new business models and digital marketing techniques applied to them, to improve the benefits they bring to the company. The results of the research identify and define the main actors of the electronic commerce (EC) ecosystem, as well as their typologies and the main techniques of DM used in this field of research. The results of the exploratory study can be used for future research in this field and to reinforce the reference bibliography in this area of research.


2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 198-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamal El Baz ◽  
Regina Frei ◽  
Issam Laguir

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate reverse supply chain (RSC) practices and their obstacles using case studies of Moroccan companies. The authors present the main findings of case studies’ analysis along with a discussion of an RSC framework for further directions of research. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was adopted and semi-structured interviews with Moroccan companies were conducted using an interview guide. Findings The authors present an RSC model that encompasses remanufacturing, refurbishing and disposal processes. The authors believe that this model would constitute a promising framework for further research. The findings show that the successful implementation of RSC depends on many factors, but the company’s attitude (proactive or conservative) is one of the most critical determinants in RSC initiatives. Furthermore, the results of the case studies indicate two types of inhibitors: external and internal. These findings confirm the results of previous research on environmental sustainability obstacles in general and RSC obstacles in particular. Research limitations/implications This study has some limitations that provide future research opportunities. Because this study is qualitative, further statistical support is needed to justify wider generalisation of its findings. Further studies might therefore investigate RSC practices in developing countries other than Morocco to increase the external validity of the results. Practical implications The findings can help firms to gain better understanding of their RSC and particularly the link between forward and RSCs. Consequently, companies can upgrade their business models to better control their RSC activities. Originality/value The relevant literature about RSC practices has mainly targeted manufacturing sectors in developed countries, and few studies have been conducted on developing countries. Research on RSC practices in developing countries in general and African countries in particular is sparse. This is one of the first articles written to address this gap by investigating RSC practices in Morocco.


2022 ◽  
pp. 153-175
Author(s):  
Claudia E. Henninger ◽  
Eri Amasawa ◽  
Taylor Brydges ◽  
Felix M. Piontek

In response to the 2008 global financial crisis, a range of disruptive business model innovations emerged. The fashion industry saw the introduction of fashion rental platforms, aimed at appealing to price-conscious consumers still hungry for the latest styles. While these new business models filled a gap in the market and saw, in some cases, profit in the millions, the phenomenon remained rather niche. The recent pandemic, alongside other isomorphic pressures, have put further constraints on these fashion rental businesses and their entrepreneurs, leaving them struggling in the current economic climate. This chapter explores the entrepreneurial motivations behind rental platforms, the different platform models in operation, and the challenges these businesses face in the 21st century, including increased technological developments, environmental sustainability, and external pressures, such as the most recent pandemic, which saw economies shutting down. Empirically, the authors draw upon a novel dataset comprising six international case studies.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josue do Prado ◽  
Wei Qiao ◽  
Liyan Qu ◽  
Julio Agüero

The increasing adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs) and smart grid technologies (SGTs) by end-user retail customers is changing significantly both technical and economic operations in the distribution grid. The next-generation retail electricity market will promote decentralization, efficiency, and competitiveness by accommodating existing and new agents through new business models and transactive approaches in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). However, these changes will bring several technical challenges to be addressed in transmission and distribution systems. Considerable activities have been carried out worldwide to study the impacts of integrating DERs into the grid and in the wholesale electricity market. However, the big vision and framework of the next-generation retail market in the context of DERs is still unclear. This paper aims to present a brief review of the present retail electricity market, some recent developments, and a comprehensive vision of the next-generation retail electricity market by describing its expected characteristics, challenges, needs, and future research topics to be addressed. A framework of integrating retail and wholesale electricity markets is also presented and discussed. The proposed vision and framework particularly highlight the necessity of new business models and regulatory initiatives to establish decentralized markets for DERs at the retail level as well as advances in technology and infrastructure necessary to allow the widespread use of DERs in active and effective ways.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 875-894
Author(s):  
María Isabel Sanchez-Hernandez ◽  
Elena Dorado-Mayorga ◽  
Guillermo Alberto Pereira-Alvarez ◽  
Ubeimar Osorio-Atehortua ◽  
Sandra Malavera-Pineda ◽  
...  

Purpose –The aim of this work is to approach the concept of sustainable entrepreneurship from a theoretical and a practical point of view, paying attention to new business models that are emerging around the world for social innovation. In this context, we focus the attention on the business model called one-for-one and we wonder whether the Colombian market should be a good option for developing this business model.Design/methodology/approach – To test the viability of the business model one-for-one we conducted a market research in March 2019, with a sample of students from two higher education institutions in the city of Medellin (Colombia). Findings – The results of the empirical research show the positive moral attitude of Colombian to solve social problems, but also the market immaturity because of the relative low purchase intentions found in Colombian potential consumers. Research limitations/implications– Not exempt from criticism, this work defends innovative business models standing for a business driven concept of sustainability which focusses on increasing both economic as well as social value.Practical implications – The model of donating one item to someone in need, for each item purchased, could be considered in the future a viable option for developing business models in Colombia.Social implications – Nowadays and more than never before, society requires that the actions of companies are aimed at contributing to social development and environmental sustainability, as well as economic viability. Companies oriented towards present and future sustainability in the decision making of purchase or investment will be an important source of competitive advantages in the near future.Originality/value – Although the study of sustainable entrepreneurship is still in very early stages in Latin American countries, this work shed light on the topic analyzing the business model one-for-one as a potential mean to foster a transition towards more sustainable societies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selma Vaska ◽  
Maurizio Massaro ◽  
Ernesto Marco Bagarotto ◽  
Francesca Dal Mas

This paper has a two-fold aim: to analyze the development of the digital transformation field, and to understand the impact of digital technologies on business model innovation (BMI) through a structured review of the literature. The results of this research reveal that the field of digital transformation is still developing, with growing interest from researchers since 2014. Results show a need for research in developing countries and for more collaboration between researchers and practitioners. The review highlights that the field is fragmented among disruptive technologies, shared platforms and ecosystems, and new enabling technologies. We conclude that digital transformation has impacted value creation, delivery, and capture in almost every industry. These impacts have led to the employment of a variety of new business models, such as those for frugal innovation and the circular economy.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
William Wales ◽  
Kevin C. Cox ◽  
Jason Lortie ◽  
Curtis R. Sproul

Abstract This study examines how written expressions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and hope may affect investor evaluations of funding potential in business plan competitions. To understand why some firms are evaluated more favorably, we combine screening and signaling theory when analyzing early-stage venture-investor communication. Findings support that expressions of EO while business planning contribute to greater expressions of hope to cope with the Knightian uncertainty when developing new business models. Results suggest that the impact of hopeful dialogue on investor impressions of fundability critically depends upon the presence or absence of past founder financial investment. Implications for future research are discussed.


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