Search Results (9)

The evolution of base/bottom of the pyramid (BoP) literature from BoP 1.0 to 3.0 prompted the need for fresh theoretical perspectives to address complex and persistent social issues. This article investigates BoP through the lens of business model innovation, using a literature review along with bibliometric, network, and content analyses, to map the intellectual and conceptual structure and understand the key variables relating to BoP business models. The research encompasses 161 articles extracted from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Documents were screened manually and with the assistance of VOS Viewer 1.6.18, Biblioshiny 4.0, IBM SPSS 20, UCINET6, and NVivo12, using abductive and deductive coding techniques. The findings reveal a prevailing focus on the exploratory phase among the articles, with a predominant utilization of qualitative research methods, particularly centered on case studies. Interviews and public data sources constitute the primary sources for supporting empirical evidence. Notably, the majority of these cases pertain to emerging economies situated across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with India emerging as the most frequently cited country in the literature. Sectors, such as energy, healthcare, agrifood, finance, and telecommunications are studied, emphasizing themes of innovation, entrepreneurship, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Emerging themes include social entrepreneurship, frugal innovation, and inclusive business models. The research panorama encompasses a categorization of BoP enterprises based on their origin (top-down or bottom-up), their typology (commercial, assistance, or collaboration), and their interactions with BoP communities (either as customers or entrepreneurs). From an innovation standpoint, certain concepts emerged, notably frugal innovation and bricolage, accompanied by the incorporation of ecosystem theory and sustainability perspectives. The research also outlines a BoP business model framework, providing insights into key components favored by entrepreneurs in this realm. Full article

The objective of this study is to review and synthesize entrepreneurship in the context of the bottom/base of pyramid (BoP). The concept of the BoP approach, which describes the possibility of profitably in both serving the poor and alleviating poverty, has iterated from 1.0 to 3.0 since 2002. It has transformed from engaging the poor as “customers” (BoP 1.0) to engaging them as “producers” (BoP 3.0). However, although the poor in BoP markets perform as active, central focal actors to identify and create entrepreneurial opportunities, inadequate attention has been paid to the question of how to engage the poor as entrepreneurs. Understanding this question is critical because entrepreneurship has been regarded as an effective tool to relieve poverty. Therefore, this research focuses on three specific questions: (1) What are the characteristics of entrepreneurs in the BoP market? (2) What are the contents of their entrepreneurial activities? and (3) What are the consequences? To answer these questions, this paper conducted a systematic literature review of 56 studies on entrepreneurship at the BoP in the scientific database Web of Science by using PRISMA to guide the review process. From the findings of the three research questions, the study also further identifies four types of entrepreneurs at the BoP (i.e., survival entrepreneurs, community entrepreneurs, professional entrepreneurs, and full entrepreneurs). With a discussion on future directions for these four types of entrepreneurs, this review highlights the heterogenous roles of the poor at the BoP and their challenges to create wealth, which is beneficial for directing the focuses of this topic. Full article

How financial literacy (FL) can contribute to both digital entrepreneurship (DE) willingness and behavior has become a widely concerned and controversial topic among scholars and practitioners, one that is particularly relevant for bottom of pyramid (BOP) entrepreneurs. However, existing literature has not established a systematic theoretical framework for this issue, and its internal mechanism has not been thoroughly revealed. Hence, based on behavioral finance theory and digital business-related literature, we construct a multi-layer linear and mediated-moderation model that relates latent variables of FL, financial inclusion (FI), digital literacy (DL), and DE. A total of 664 villagers carrying out DE are the sample from China, and the empirical results mainly reveal the following: FL significantly improves the DE willingness and behavior, and the sense of FI plays a partial mediating role between FL and DE willingness and behavior. DL is a crucial influencing factor that moderates a positive effect between FL and DE willingness and behavior. Moreover, DL plays a mediated-moderating role. By contrast, FL in poverty-stricken counties (PSC) has a more substantial influence on DE than that in non-poverty-stricken counties (NPSC). If the family background (social capital) is superior (excellent), and the resources are abundant, then the influence of FL on DE will be stronger. This research contributes to the theories and practices related to FL, DE, FI, and DL. Full article

The Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) market is composed of a large number of low-income groups around the world and contains huge wealth that has not yet been discovered. An exploratory multi-case study was conducted to analyze the impact of relational embeddedness on dynamic capability (DC). On the basis of theoretical presuppositions, based on the intra- and inter-case analysis of six companies in the China BOP market, this paper explores how relational embeddedness affects the DC of companies through exploitative learning and exploratory learning. Twelve research propositions are presented and the theoretical framework of relational embeddedness affecting the DC of enterprises is constructed. The study found that mutual trust and reciprocity norms in the BOP cooperation network can promote the acquisition and utilization of existing knowledge and new knowledge of the enterprise, thereby enhancing the enterprise environmental sensing, environmental adaptive, and environmental shaping capabilities. Full article

Co-creation with the population at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) was identified as pivotal for realizing the full potential of the BOP proposition, simultaneously creating economic value for companies in BOP markets, as well as social value for the individuals residing in them. However, research on co-creation and its outcomes has remained predominantly simplistic, often assuming that introducing any form of co-creation in company operations will lead to increased social value and economic gains. A more nuanced exploration of the different ways in which companies operationalize the principle of co-creation across their supply-chain and whether these indeed facilitate such a clear win-win scenario for both parties, remains relatively scarce. In this paper we address this gap and delve into the supply chains of 135 micro, small, and medium sized ventures operating in BOP markets. We identify four overarching patterns of co-creation and ten categories of specific practices used to achieve them, and ultimately show how these patterns facilitate very different levels of social sustainability and economic benefits across the supply chain. Full article

Delivery of affordable healthcare services to communities is a necessary precondition to poverty alleviation. Co-creation approaches to the development of business models in the healthcare industry proved particularly suitable for improving the health-seeking behavior of BOP patients. However, scant research was conducted to understand BOP consumers’ decision-making process leading to specific healthcare choices in slum settings, and the relative balance of socio-cultural and socio-economic factors underpinning patients’ preferences. This article adopts a mixed-method approach to investigate the determinants of BOP patients’ choice between private and public hospitals. Quantitative analysis of a database, composed of 436 patients from five hospitals in Ahmedabad, India, indicates that BOP patients visit a public hospital significantly more than top-of-the-pyramid (TOP) patients. However, no significant difference emerges between BOP and TOP patients for inpatient or outpatient treatments. Qualitative findings based on 21 interviews with BOP consumers from selected slum areas led to the development of a grounded theory model, which highlights the role of aspirational demand of BOP patients toward private healthcare providers. Overall, healthcare provider choice emerges as the outcome of a collective socio-cultural decision-making process, which often assigns preference for private healthcare services because of the higher perceived quality of private providers, while downplaying affordability concerns. Implications for healthcare providers, social entrepreneurs, and policy-makers are discussed. Full article

The challenge for enterprises to enter the market in the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) segment is to revise their supply chain design. This article compiles the cases that demonstrate how enterprises can successfully enter BOP markets. Factors are extracted and analyzed according to the stages of the value chain and the supply chain. Furthermore, the Importance—Performance Analysis (IPA) is used to explore the gap and the opportunities for improvement. Also, the multinational enterprises (MNEs) in Taiwan and local manufacturers in Indonesia are compared for their suitability to the different business strategies. Results of these analyses could serve as a gap analysis tool for decision-making and business strategies entering the BOP market. Full article

Scholars who aim to solve problems with poverty and a lack of resources often focus on bottom of pyramid (BOP) consumer groups. They propose that the traditional TOP (top of pyramid) business strategies are not suitable for BOP populations, and that it is crucial to determine and satisfy BOP consumption demands. The purpose of this study is to find out which factors influence BOP consumption, and to explore BOP integrated products. The concepts of “national cultural traits” and sustainable product design are also used. The findings will help enterprises learn how to make profits in BOP markets (addressing economic goals), while helping the poor get out of poverty (addressing social goals). Two different areas concerning BOP consumers are used to illustrate the results. Full article

As we work in different constellations, levels, networks, and sub networks etc., we need to see networking in multiple dimensions, i.e. as ambient organizations. To summarize the problem statement the article is addressing whether or not there is an added value for interpreting the structure of collaboration by managing ambient organizations in 3D. By utilizing a cybernetic structure and combining a set of specific methods, a clear separation between narrative, content, and contexts of organizations can be determined and challenge the old traditional way of scientific and knowledge management. Take Stafford Beer’s methodology of Team Syntegrity which is based on cybernetic system theory where he uses the model of regular polyedra’s to manage knowledge creating and transferring by organizing individuals with a strict cybernetic structure, and see the group of individuals re-arrange themselves in a self-organizing way. This three dimensional approach of eManagement is used as a platform for suggestions of more 3D tools communication, knowledge-sharing and innovation through the use of the theory on Information Space by Max Boisot. This article focuses upon an ICT and organizational approach to show the difficulties in creating a network based on a virtual platform without equal contribution and interest by all parties involved and a common vision that motivate the individuals to be a part of the network. The support of this multi-dimensionality from information and communication technologies (ICT) moves us towards using the dynamics of social technologies as Web 2.0 (ff Web 3.0) and an intelligent semantic web. Both the ambient organization and the social technologies available raise the challenge of changing our mindset in order to be able to manage at all. Finally the paper applies these systems on the challenge of asymmetric information, globalization, and the economics at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP), which could be implemented or visualized as an e-business model. Full article