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Innovation for the base of the pyramid: Critical perspectives from development studies on heterogeneity and participation

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Author Info
Arora, Saurabh () (School of Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology)
Romijn, Henny () (School of Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology)
Abstract

This article criticises current BoP approaches for under-appreciating two issues that play vital roles in projects targeting the poor at the BoP: heterogeneity among the poor, and the intricacies of participatory partnerships between TNCs, the non-profit sector (NGOs) and local poor communities in the global south. Our main contention is that the extant BoP literature has a naive view of what working with the poor really involves, which grossly underestimates adverse power relationships and disregards the hierarchies between the poor and outsiders who administer development interventions. To unpack the hidden complexities associated with heterogeneity and partnership dynamics, we draw on extensive knowledge from the field of development studies, which has accumulated key insights about working in and with poorer communities over several decades.

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File URL: http://www.merit.unu.edu/publications/wppdf/2009/wp2009-036.pdf
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Paper provided by United Nations University, Maastricht Economic and social Research and training centre on Innovation and Technology in its series UNU-MERIT Working Paper Series with number 036.

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Date of creation: 2009
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Handle: RePEc:dgr:unumer:2009036

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Related research
Keywords: innovation and development; participation; poverty alleviation; TNCs;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare and Poverty - - - General
M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Social Responsibility
O19 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations
O31 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Technological Change - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
O32 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Technological Change - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
Z10 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - General

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References listed on IDEAS
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  1. Suma Athreye & Sandeep Kapur, 2009. "Introduction: The internationalization of Chinese and Indian firms: trends, motivations and strategy," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press, vol. 18(2), pages 209-221, April. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  2. Ashwini Deshpande, 2000. "Does Caste Still Define Disparity? A Look at Inequality in Kerala, India," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 90(2), pages 322-325, May. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  3. David Lewis & David Mosse, 2006. "Encountering Order and Disjuncture: Contemporary Anthropological Perspectives on the Organization of Development," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 34(1), pages 1-13. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  4. Deshpande, Ashwini, 2001. "Caste at Birth? Redefining Disparity in India," Review of Development Economics, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 5(1), pages 130-44, February. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  5. Kijima, Yoko, 2006. "Caste and Tribe Inequality: Evidence from India, 1983-1999," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 54(2), pages 369-404, January.
  6. Kaivan Munshi & Mark Rosenzweig, 2006. "Traditional Institutions Meet the Modern World: Caste, Gender, and Schooling Choice in a Globalizing Economy," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 96(4), pages 1225-1252, September. [Downloadable!]
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