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

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  • Arora, Saurabh

    () (School of Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology)

  • Romijn, Henny

    () (School of Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology)

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    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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    Bibliographic Info

    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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    Web page: http://www.merit.unu.edu

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

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    11. Arora, Saurabh, 2009. "Knowledge flows and social capital: a network perspective on rural innovation," Open Access publications from Maastricht University urn:nbn:nl:ui:27-18751, Maastricht University.
    12. Srijit Mishra, 2007. "Risks, farmers' suicides and agrarian crisis in India: Is there a way out?," Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai Working Papers 2007-014, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai, India.
    13. Rawal, Vikas, 2001. "Agrarian Reform and Land Markets: A Study of Land Transactions in Two Villages of West Bengal, 1977-1995," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 49(3), pages 611-29, April.
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