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Grassroots entrepreneurs and social change at the bottom of the pyramid: the role of bricolage

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  • Soumodip Sarkar

Abstract

This study explores how entrepreneurs living and working at the ‘bottom of the pyramid’ overcome acute resource constraints to create something from nothing. In a departure from most previous studies that consider those at the bottom either as potential consumers or as recipients of aid, we look at grassroots entrepreneurs. Despite extremely challenging conditions, they are able to assemble resources and to combine and align principles of business strategy and social value creation to effect important economic and social change. Using a resource based view lens, we redirect the spotlight onto the individual entrepreneur in social entrepreneurship and extend the study of bricolage to that field. We rely on inductive methodology applied to eight cases to unpack the resource assembly process of such entrepreneurs, revealing distinctive features of bricolage such as the setting aside of cultural norms, the rejigging of domain-specific skills, and the use of spare time.

Suggested Citation

  • Soumodip Sarkar, 2018. "Grassroots entrepreneurs and social change at the bottom of the pyramid: the role of bricolage," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(3-4), pages 421-449, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:entreg:v:30:y:2018:i:3-4:p:421-449
    DOI: 10.1080/08985626.2017.1413773
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    Cited by:

    1. Reypens, Lina & Bacq, Sophie & Milanov, Hana, 2021. "Beyond bricolage: Early-stage technology venture resource mobilization in resource-scarce contexts," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 36(4).
    2. Baier-Fuentes, Hugo & Andrade-Valbuena, Nelson A. & Huertas Gonzalez-Serrano, Maria & Gaviria-Marin, Magaly, 2023. "Bricolage as an effective tool for the survival of owner-managed SMEs during crises," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    3. Pradeep Kumar Hota, 2023. "Tracing the Intellectual Evolution of Social Entrepreneurship Research: Past Advances, Current Trends, and Future Directions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 182(3), pages 637-659, January.
    4. Kaidong Yu & Yameng Zhang & Yicong Huang, 2023. "Entrepreneurship at the Bottom of the Pyramid: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-24, January.
    5. Jackson Musona & Kaisu Puumalainen & Helena Sjögrén & Anna Vuorio, 2021. "Sustainable Entrepreneurship at the Bottom of the Pyramid: An Identity-Based Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-37, January.
    6. Sarkar, Soumodip & Mateus, Sara, 2022. "Value creation using minimal resources – A meta-synthesis of frugal innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    7. Naegels, Vanessa & Mori, Neema & D'Espallier, Bert, 2022. "The process of female borrower discouragement," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    8. Saiyed, Abrar Ali & Wierenga, Marleen & Fernhaber, Stephanie A. & Nummela, Niina, 2023. "From grassroots to international markets: A qualitative study of marginalized entrepreneurs in India," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(5).
    9. Onwuegbuzie, Henrietta N. & Mafimisebi, Oluwasoye P., 2021. "Global relevance of scaling African indigenous entrepreneurship," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    10. Scazziota, Vanessa & Serra, Fernando & Sarkar, Soumodip & Guerrazzi, Luiz, 2023. "The antecedents of entrepreneurial action: A meta-synthesis on effectuation and bricolage," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PA).
    11. Hossain, Mokter, 2021. "Frugal innovation and sustainable business models," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    12. Hossain, Mokter & Park, Sukyung & Shahid, Subhan, 2023. "Frugal innovation for sustainable rural development," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    13. Plutshack, Victoria & Sengupta, Subhanjan & Sahay, Arunaditya & Viñuales, Jorge E., 2019. "New and renewable energy social enterprises accessing government support: Findings from India," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 367-378.
    14. Norma Juma & Joy Olabisi & Eliada Griffin-EL, 2022. "Understanding the Motivation Complexity of Grassroots Ecopreneurs at the Base of the Pyramid," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-21, October.

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