Serving poor people in rich countries: the bottom-of-the-pyramid business model solution

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaques Angot ◽  
Loïc Plé
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Bottom Of The Pyramid ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fresh Perspective ◽  
Mind Set ◽  
The Developed Countries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to suggest that firms should transpose bottom-of-the-pyramid (BOP) strategies to top-of-the-pyramid (TOP) countries through adapted business models, noting that strategies usually apply to developing countries. This would enable them to address the consequences of the economic crisis that has increased the number of poor and financially constrained customers in developed countries. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual article based on current research and multiple examples from real-world companies that have implemented BOP business models. These are viewed from the angle of frugal innovation, a fresh perspective on innovation as an outcome and process, which means innovating while significantly economizing the use of scarce resources. Findings – The paper explains how firms should adapt the three dimensions of their business models (value proposition, resources and competences and organization) to transpose BOP business models to TOP countries. Limitations and advantages of this transposition are also detailed. Research limitations/implications – A lack of prior research on how firms can confront poverty in TOP countries is emphasized. Further studies are needed to help firms adapt to the new economic conditions in TOP countries. Practical implications – Practitioners can use the recommendations herein to adapt their business models and address dramatic economic and social changes in the developed countries in which they function. Originality/value – Considering the differences between developed and developing countries, firms should promote a BOP mind-set, rather than struggling to transpose full BOP business models to TOP settings.

Business model innovation

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 200-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaqueline Pels ◽  
Tomás Andrés Kidd
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Business Model Innovation ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Bottom Of The Pyramid ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Medical Healthcare

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework that expands business model innovation literature by including a social goal, the emerging markets (EMs) environmental characteristics and adopting a bottom-up perspective. Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws on a single-case study. Sistema Ser/CEGIN (SER–CEGIN) is an Argentine social business that offers high-quality medical healthcare to BOP users. Findings – The paper presents a new conceptualization on business model innovation that includes three dimensions: firm-centric, environment and customer-centric. The framework incorporates to the traditional framework on business model innovation, the social profit equation, the general and task environment and the end-user, as well as the dynamics between them. Research limitations/implications – While the authors acknowledge the importance of studying the components of the business model operating levels (economic, operational and strategic) to determine the type of business model innovation (revenue, enterprise and industrial), the framework incoporates the environment and customer-centric dimension. The suggested framework opens new streams of research both for the innovation business model literature as well as for the EMs – bottom of the pyramid (BOP) literature. Practical implications – To achieve economic and social goals, particularly in the BOP, firms need to adopt a bottom-up approach to understand the components of their business model that need to be modified. Originality/value – The paper proposes a novel business model innovation conceptualization which is useful for both researches to better study business models in the BOP and for firms to successfully operate in the BOP.

Challenges of waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE)

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Safdar Shah Khan ◽  
Suleman Aziz Lodhi ◽  
Faiza Akhtar ◽  
Irshad Khokar
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Electronic Equipment ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Safe Management ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the recent global situation on waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) management and recommend policy directions for designing environmental strategies. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative research approach is adopted to review studies on WEEE management in developed and developing countries. The focus is to critically consider the available options for its safe management. Findings – Approximately 40-50 million tons of WEEE is generated worldwide annually and most of it is dumped in the developing countries. WEEE is not a challenge to be faced by a single country as it has trans-boundary effects and ultimately the contamination reaches back to the developed countries with a lapse of time. Research limitations/implications – Data availability on WEEE generation and disposal is in initial stages. Practical implications – Developing countries in Asia and Africa do not have resources to handle WEEE. The unregulated and unsafe WEEE management practices in these countries let hazardous materials to disseminate into the marine life and global ecosystem. Originality/value – The paper recommends policy directions to deal with the emerging issue that may have globally far reaching consequences.

Multi-utility framework: blockchain exchange platform for sustainable development

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Bou Abdo ◽  
Sherali Zeadally
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Blockchain Technology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to design a sustainable development platform for water and energy peer-to-peer trading that is financially and economically feasible. Water and other resources are becoming scarcer every day, and developing countries are the neediest for an immediate intervention. Water, as a national need, is considered to be one of the most precious commodities, but it is also one of the main causes for conflicts in the 21st century. Rainwater harvesting and peer-to-peer trading of the harvested water is one of the most convenient, scalable and sustainable solutions but faces organization challenges such as the absence of suitable business models motivating normal users to sell their generated resources (such as water and energy), currency and financial settlement complexities and single utility markets. Design/methodology/approach This paper proposes a multi-utility trading platform based on the blockchain technology which can address the challenges faced by peer-to-peer trading for resources such as energy and water. Findings This paper presents a peer-to-peer multi-utility trading platform that solves the shortcomings of existing utility frameworks reported in the current literature. Originality/value This proposed platform meets the needs of developing countries as well as rural areas of developed countries. The open nature of the proposed design makes it suitable for adoption and use by various stakeholders.

Security and privacy of adolescents in social applications and networks: legislative aspects and legal practice of countering cyberbullying on example of developed and developing countries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Ghandour ◽  
Viktor Shestak ◽  
Konstantin Sokolovskiy
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Social Applications

Purpose This paper aims to study the developed countries’ experience on the cyberbullying legal regulation among adolescents, to identify existing shortcomings in the developing countries’ laws and to develop recommendations for regulatory framework improvement. Design/methodology/approach The authors have studied the state regulatory practice of the UK, the USA, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, Turkey, UAE and analyzed the statistics of 2018 on the cyberbullying manifestation among adolescents in these countries. Findings The study results can encourage countries to create separate cyberbullying legislation and periodically review and modify already existing legislation. Originality/value The study provides a list of the recommendations to regulate cybercrime in developing countries and prevent it as well. The results may contribute to creating laws related to the regulation of cyberbullying in countries where such legislation does not exist yet or existing regulatory legal acts do not bring the expected results, namely, in Post-Soviet countries and other developing countries of the world.

scholarly journals Reverse supply chain practices in developing countries: the case of Morocco

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 198-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamal El Baz ◽  
Regina Frei ◽  
Issam Laguir
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Reverse Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type

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.

A systematic review of the influence of medical representatives and promotional tools on prescribing

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Ali Murshid ◽  
Zurina Mohaidin
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Drug Prescribing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Promotional Efforts ◽  
Prescribing Behaviour ◽  
The Developed Countries

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine reported literature on the influence of medical representatives (MRs) and other promotional tools on drug prescribing behaviour, and to assess whether this effect is different in developed and developing countries. Design/methodology/approach A survey of the literature was conducted across online databases from 2000 to 2016. Eligible studies addressed MRs and other promotion tools used to influence drug prescribing in developed and developing countries. Findings A total of 40 reviewed studies met the inclusion requirements. In total, 22 of the studies were conducted in developed countries and 18 in developing countries. Out of ten studies that examined the influence of MRs on drug prescribing in developed countries, eight found a positive influence, one found only moderate and one finds no influence. Analogous results were found in developing countries. Six out of ten studies on the influence of MRs conducted in developing countries found a positive effect, three found only moderate effects, while one finds no influence. The influence of promotion tools on prescribing varied in developed countries, five found positive influence, four reported a small effect and one found negative influence. In developing countries, the size of effect also varied, five studies found positive influence of promotion tools on drug prescribing behaviour, five found a negligible or small effect, and one found no association. However, marked differences were observed between two sectors. In the developed countries, MRs are valued as a source of information and can have an effect on prescribing, while it is unreliable in developing countries. Sample drugs are more generally seen as an important promotional tool for prescribing in developed countries than developing countries. Research limitations/implications The results derived from this review are based on studies with varying methodological consistency. The review provides the crucial information that will be valuable to researchers working on comparative analysis of marketing efforts in developing and developed countries. Originality/value This paper is one of the few systematic reviews on the influence of MRs and other promotional tools on prescribing. It compares the influence of MRs and promotional efforts in both developed and developing countries.

Poor-inclusive workplace model: A Relational Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 881-900
Author(s):  
Yuka Fujimoto ◽  
Mohammad Jasim Uddin
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Business Leaders ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Inclusive Business

PurposeThe theory building of inclusive workplace is still in its early stages, particularly concerning the inclusion of the poor in the developing countries. Through the exploration of social entrepreneurial inclusion, this study extends the inclusive workplace theory by featuring the inclusive dynamism of organizations for the poor in developing countries.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach was selected, as the goal of this study is to build on the theory in an under-researched area. This qualitative study is described as theory elaboration as it expands upon theoretical links that have received little attention among workforce diversity scholars.FindingsWe have established a conceptual framework of social entrepreneurial inclusion, which encompasses the following normative themes: organizational perspective for promoting social equality, empowering relationships, a sense of inclusion, organizational access to valuable resources and empowered inclusion.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough we have taken an exploratory qualitative approach and made efforts to report our data neutrally, we acknowledge that the ethical and theoretical positions taken in analyzing the data may have influenced the outcome of this research and, therefore, our findings can never be truly objective. We also acknowledge that this study was conducted in developing countries, thus the poor inclusive workplace model is not generalizable for the poor in developed countries due to different institutional and ecological settings.Practical implicationsWe have illustrated the importance of business leaders leveraging the opportunities in the space between interdependency of individuals and organizations through doing well by doing good. Poor-inclusive workplaces need business leaders who can demonstrate the effective interpersonal skills to develop constructive and personalized relationships with the workers, the family and community members to encourage the idea that the poor be included in the workplace.Social implicationsThe findings from this study also infer how corporations may collaborate with SEs and humanitarian agencies for inclusive growth so they can simultaneously unleash economic value and social value to develop more effective poor-inclusive business models in both sectors. Social entrepreneurs (SEs) and humanistic agencies tend to have situated knowledge of the poor in terms of locally embedded needs and knowledge of the community that corporations do not have.Originality/valueThis paper promotes the integrative workplace models of inclusion where inclusion of poor is empowered through involvement of multiple parties inside and outside workplaces. The empowered inclusion outcomes are strengthened through organizational access to valuable resources at the institutional level.

Implication of Globalization on Indonesia's Development and NGOs' Response

2003 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-82
Author(s):  
Budi Winarno
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Monetary Economic ◽  
Political Crises ◽  
Domestic Capital ◽  
Market Driven ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Developed Countries

Globalization and economic liberalization have given benefits to the developed countries but have been baneful for the developing countries in some respects, including Indonesia. Market-driven development pushed the government losing its control of foreign and domestic capital flight out of the country, when Indonesia was beaten by monetary, economic, and political crises. As a result, poverty, unemployment and the widening gap between the rich and the poor people have been increasing. Indonesia's NGOs have blamed and resisted the conspiracy of developed countries in the process of impoverishing the developing countries. Therefore, efforts have been undertaken by Indonesia's NGOs to provide advocacy and empowerment, as well as defending the rights of poor people and their dignity. However, the struggle of Indonesia's NGOs on the side of poor people is still far away.

Employee advocacy in Malawi: The degree to which HR practitioners are considered as employee advocates within an African context

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 22-24
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Employee Relations ◽  
Line Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
African Context ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
Hr Managers ◽  
Hr Roles

Purpose The review is based on "Employee advocacy in Africa: the role of HR practitioners in Malawi" by Aminu Mamman, Christopher J. Rees, Rhoda Bakuwa, Mohamed Branine, Ken Kamoche, (2019) published in Employee Relations. This paper aims to concentrate on the degree that HR practitioners are considered as employee advocates within an African context. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered from a questionnaire survey given to 305 respondents (95 HR practitioners, 121 line managers and 89 employees) working in private sector companies Malawi. Findings The results suggest that HR practitioners in Malawi are viewed as carrying out an employee advocate role by line managers, HR managers, and employees. HR managers perceived themselves to be carrying out the role of employee advocate more than line managers and employees. In addition, the strongest perceived element was their contribution to motivating employees. Practical implications Therefore, analysis of the importance of the elements that make up the employee advocate role could inform decisions on which elements to include in in an HR model. This paper has contributed to the literature on HR roles in developing countries and supports the use of Ulrich’s model beyond the developed countries where it originated Originality/value This paper has contributed to the literature on HR roles in developing countries and supports the use of Ulrich’s model beyond the developed countries where it originated.

Innovating for the future: charting the innovation agenda for firms in developing countries

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirish C Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Innovation Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Innovation ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Innovation Strategies ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
Innovation Approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the four principles for firms in developing countries to enhance and augment their innovation agenda for staying competitive. With increasing globalization, firms need to continually calibrate and realign their innovation strategies to remain competitive. Although many firms in the developed countries are making sustained efforts to adopt the developing world perspective on innovation, similar efforts by firms in developing countries to reorient their innovation strategies to the developed world are minimal. In the long run, this might erode the competitiveness of firms in developing countries. Leveraging the global innovation strategy framework, the paper suggests four principles that can help developing country firms transition from a local to a global innovation strategy. Specifically, the paper exhorts developing country firms to move from a “good-enough” innovation approach to an “augmented” innovation philosophy that aims to serve the latent needs of the users. The four principles suggested for the developing country firms to further their innovation agenda are: invest in research; learn to fail; be patient; and alliance and acquire. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses prior literature and frameworks to identify the four principles that firms in developing countries should follow for furthering their innovation agenda with a view to becoming global in their approach. Findings – The four principles suggested for the developing country firms to further their innovation agenda are: invest in research; learn to fail; be patient; and alliance and acquire. Originality/value – The paper identifies the four principles for firms in developing countries to enhance and augment their innovation agenda for staying competitive.

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