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Technological capability building in MNE-Related social businesses of less developed countries : the experience of Grameen-Danone foods in Bangladesh

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  • Peerally J.A.
  • Figueiredo P.N.

    (UNU-MERIT)

Abstract

Although there has been considerable research on firm-level technological capability building in the context of developing economies, there is a scarcity of studies which examine this issue in multinational enterprises socially motivated businesses located in less developed economies.This paper examines the latterissue on the basis of first-hand empirical evidence derived from an extensive field research on Grameen-Danone Foods Limited GDFL in Bangladesh. The study found that GDFL generated relevant spillovers to the host economy by accumulating production capabilities in association with innovation capabilities at intermediate levels across four technological functions project management, process and production organization, product centred and equipment-related. Apart from revealing the types of frugal and reverse innovationswhich emanates from such a business, our study also explores unlike existing studies which only focus on the financial and social benefits the technological benefits generated from a social business model. Understanding the nature and dynamics of technological activities in social businesses of less developed economies is relevant for the achievement of enhanced local, autonomous and sustainable economic and social development.

Suggested Citation

  • Peerally J.A. & Figueiredo P.N., 2013. "Technological capability building in MNE-Related social businesses of less developed countries : the experience of Grameen-Danone foods in Bangladesh," MERIT Working Papers 2013-036, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2013036
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Farhana Ferdousi & Nuren Abedin, 2023. "Strategic Human Resources Management for Creating Shared Value in Social Business Organizations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-24, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    International Business Administration; Management of Technological Innovation and R&D; Agricultural R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services; Agricultural Policy; Food Policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M16 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - International Business Administration
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy

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