Co-Creation as Sensemaking: Collaboration in Inclusive Business Creation in Low- Income Contexts

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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Promoting Business Inclusivity for Sustainable Livelihoods among the Zimbabwean Poor

Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies ◽

10.22610/jebs.v10i1(j).2105 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (1(J)) ◽

pp. 224-233

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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Poverty, Business Strategy, and Sustainable Development

Organization & Environment ◽

10.1177/1086026616677170 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 401-415 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Stuart Hart ◽

Sanjay Sharma ◽

Minna Halme

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Low Income ◽

Business Strategy ◽

Poverty Alleviation ◽

Well Being ◽

Investment Funds ◽

Impact Investing ◽

Bottom Of Pyramid ◽

New Business ◽

Inclusive Business

The past 15 years have witnessed an exponential growth in business activities aimed at serving the needs and increasing the well-being of disenfranchised individuals in low-income communities. Thousands of new business initiatives, development institution programs, and innovative investment funds focused on poverty alleviation have emerged during this time. Similarly, since the late 1990s when Prahalad and Hart first coined the term Bottom of Pyramid (BoP), and suggested a new, enterprise-based approach to poverty alleviation, there has also been a steady rise in research on business and poverty. A whole new lexicon emerged to describe this phenomenon, including phrases like “inclusive business,” “subsistence market places,” “frugal innovation,” and “impact investing.” Unfortunately, management theory and research have not advanced at the same pace with the BoP business revolution, and consequently knowledge about parameters for successfully integrating business, poverty alleviation and sustainable development still remains ambiguous.

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A View of the Lexical–Grammatical Link in Young Latinos With Specific Language Impairment Using Language-Specific and Conceptual Measures

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2019_jslhr-l-18-0315 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 62 (6) ◽

pp. 1775-1786 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Lucía I. Méndez ◽

Gabriela Simon-Cereijido

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Language Impairment ◽

Specific Language Impairment ◽

L2 Acquisition ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Specific Language ◽

Vocabulary Skills ◽

In The Beginning ◽

Study Participants ◽

L1 And L2

Purpose This study investigated the nature of the association of lexical–grammatical abilities within and across languages in Latino dual language learners (DLLs) with specific language impairment (SLI) using language-specific and bilingual measures. Method Seventy-four Spanish/English–speaking preschoolers with SLI from preschools serving low-income households participated in the study. Participants had stronger skills in Spanish (first language [L1]) and were in the initial stages of learning English (second language [L2]). The children's lexical, semantic, and grammar abilities were assessed using normative and researcher-developed tools in English and Spanish. Hierarchical linear regressions of cross-sectional data were conducted using measures of sentence repetition tasks, language-specific vocabulary, and conceptual bilingual lexical and semantic abilities in Spanish and English. Results Results indicate that language-specific vocabulary abilities support the development of grammar in L1 and L2 in this population. L1 vocabulary also contributes to L2 grammar above and beyond the contribution of L2 vocabulary skills. However, the cross-linguistic association between vocabulary in L2 and grammar skills in the stronger or more proficient language (L1) is not observed. In addition, conceptual vocabulary significantly supported grammar in L2, whereas bilingual semantic skills supported L1 grammar. Conclusions Our findings reveal that the same language-specific vocabulary abilities drive grammar development in L1 and L2 in DLLs with SLI. In the early stages of L2 acquisition, vocabulary skills in L1 also seem to contribute to grammar skills in L2 in this population. Thus, it is critical to support vocabulary development in both L1 and L2 in DLLs with SLI, particularly in the beginning stages of L2 acquisition. Clinical and educational implications are discussed.

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