Innovation for the base of the pyramid: Critical perspectives from development studies on heterogeneity and participation
Arora, Saurabh and Romijn, Henny (2009). Innovation for the base of the pyramid: Critical perspectives from development studies on heterogeneity and participation. UNU-MERIT.
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Sub-type Working paper Author Arora, Saurabh
Romijn, HennyTitle Innovation for the base of the pyramid: Critical perspectives from development studies on heterogeneity and participation Publication Date 2009 Place of Publication Maastricht, NL Publisher UNU-MERIT Pages 39 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 naïve 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. Keyword Innovation and development
Participation
Poverty alleviation
TNCsJEL I30
M14
O19
O31
O32
Z10Copyright Holder UNU-MERIT Copyright Year 2009 Copyright type All rights reserved ISSN 18719872 -
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