Books [0], Reports [0], Articles, Videos [0].
Moving Out of Poverty (Volume 1): Cross-disciplinary Perspectives [1] Edited by Deepa Narayan and Patti Petesch, July 2007
This book brings together the latest thinking about poverty dynamics from diverse analytic traditions. It covers a vast body of conceptual and empirical knowledge about economic and social mobility, featuring the results of new comparative research across more than 500 communities in 15 countries to understand how and why people move out of poverty. In addition to empirical work, the book covers multigenerational accounts of three villages in Kanartaka, India, 12 years in the life of a street child in Burkina Faso, and much more.
Voices of the Poor [2] The World Bank, 2007
At the turn of the new millennium, the World Bank collected the voices of more than 60,000 poor women and men from 60 countries, in an unprecedented effort to understand poverty from the perspective of the poor themselves. This participatory research initiative chronicles the struggles and aspirations of poor people for a life of dignity.
The 86% Solution: How to Succeed in the Biggest Market Opportunity of the Next 50 Years [3] Vijay Mahajan and Kamini Banga, Wharton School Publishing, 2006
"The 86 percent here is an estimate of people living in countries with per capita gross national product of less than $10,000. Of the world's six billion-plus inhabitants, only 14 percent live in countries where this measure is over $10,000. According to Vijay Mahajan and Kamini Banga, companies can no longer afford to not pay attention to emerging economies. Their book is a persuasive argument that is full of nitty-gritty advice and practical examples.
Capitalism at the Crossroads [4] Stuart L. Hart, Wharton School Publishing, 2005
In Capitalism at the Crossroads, Hart shows companies how to identify sustainable products that can drive new growth as they also help solve today's most crucial social problems. Drawing on his experience consulting with top companies and NGOs worldwide, Hart shows how to integrate new technology to deliver profitable solutions that reduce poverty and protect the environment at the same time. Along the way, you'll learn how to become truly indigenous to all your markets and avoid the pitfalls of traditional 'greening' and 'sustainability' strategies.
The Collaboration Challenge: How Nonprofits and Business Succeed through Strategic Alliances [5] James Austin, 2000
In this book, James Austin identifies major alliances and examines how they function, looking at the various stages through which they must pass. He explains the role of top leadership and emphasizes the importance of a strategic "fit" between the two partners. Austin suggests different areas within organizations for alignment as well as ways for partners to analyze the value of their collaboration. He then considers ongoing practical management issues and concludes with guidelines for collaborations and questions that must be addressed.
Corporate Social Opportunity: Seven Steps to Make Corporate Social Opportunity Work for Your Business [6] David Grayson and Adrian Hodges, 2004
In Corporate Social Opportunity! Grayson and Hodges challenge perceived wisdom that adherence by business to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a zero-sum game where the impact on companies is added costs and extra regulatory burden. From their unique vantage point working with leaders of global businesses and of local communities, the authors explain how powerful drivers forcing companies to adopt stringent social, ethical and environmental standards simultaneously create largely untapped opportunities for product innovation, market development and non-traditional business models.
The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid [7] C.K. Prahalad, Wharton School Publishing, 2004
The world's most exciting, fastest-growing new market? It's where you least expect it: at the bottom of the pyramid. Collectively, the world's billions of poor people have immense entrepreneurial capabilities and buying power. You can learn how to serve them and help millions of the world's poorest people escape poverty. It is being done-profitably. Whether you're a business leader or an anti-poverty activist, business guru Prahalad shows why you can't afford to ignore "Bottom of the Pyramid" (BOP) markets.
How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas [8] David Bornstein, 2004
What business entrepreneurs are to the economy, social entrepreneurs are to social change. They are, writes David Bornstein, the driven, creative individuals who question the status quo, exploit new opportunities, refuse to give up--and remake the world for the better. How to Change the World tells the fascinating stories of these remarkable individuals--many in the United States, others in countries from Brazil to Hungary--providing an In Search of Excellence for the social sector.
Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution [9] Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins, 2000
In this groundbreaking blueprint for a new economy, three leading business visionaries explain how the world is on the verge of a new industrial revolution-one that promises to transform our fundamental notions about commerce and its role in shaping our future. Natural Capitalism describes a future in which business and environmental interests increasingly overlap, and in which businesses can better satisfy their customers' needs, increase profits, and help solve environmental problems all at the same time.
The Next Sustainability Wave: Building Boardroom Buy-in [10] Bob Willard, 2005
The idea of sustainability has been embraced enthusiastically by some businesses and rejected by others. The first wave of corporate converts to sustainability was perhaps driven by a public relations crisis, regulatory pressures or the founder's personal passion. The next wave, however, requires different drivers if it is to build a critical mass for corporate responsibility in the business community. The Next Sustainability Wave assesses why companies have resisted sustainability strategies and focuses on two emerging drivers that promise to spur corporate commitment to sustainability strategies.
Profits with Principles: Seven Strategies for Delivering Value with Values [11] Ira Jackson and Jane Nelson, 2003
At a time when unethical business practices continue to dominate the business press, Profits with Principles offers persuasive proof that when businesses combine profit making with a concern for values and the greater good, they do better in the marketplace than those that concentrate only on the bottom line. In Profits with Principles, Ira A. Jackson and Jane Nelson show the quantifiable and enduring business advantage to "doing the right thing." The companies profiled in Profits with Principles-including Starbucks, Citigroup, Alcoa, General Motors, General Electric, Dupont, and Dell-come from different industries and have implemented different strategies to build trust and gain a competitive advantage. What they share, however, are basic operating principles of making values integral to the way they do business. By focusing on creating societal as well as shareholder value, they have built market share, improved risk management, enhanced innovation, strengthened consumer loyalty, and attracted the best talent.
The Sustainability Advantage: Seven Business Case Benefits of a Triple Bottom Line [12] Bob Willard, 2002
In an era when corporations are under increasing pressure to be stewards of the environment and society as they pursue profits, business expert Bob Willard provides a practical benefit-by-benefit guide for assessing all three areas as a win/win/win proposition. Written in the pragmatic language of business leaders, this book is the first to present compelling and quantitative bottom-line evidence of the profitability of social and environmental initiatives.
The World's First Venture Capital Guide for Development [13] 2005
The Index for Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds for Development - 2005 - is the world's first guide for VC and PE funds investing in developing countries. It lists 259 funds.
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Surviving in the 'Dual System' [13]
Olga Morawcsynski, May 2008
The ‘dual system' thesis has been used to describe the continuing commitment of urban migrants to the village in various African countries. In March of 2007, an m-banking application called M-PESA was introduced into the Kenyan market. This application allows for person-to-person (P2P) transfers of e-money via mobile phone, and facilitates urban-to-rural remittances. This study uses ethnographic data collected in a Kenyan slum to show that M-PESA is becoming a tool for the maintenance of urban-rural relations. It further asserts that because it is helping migrants to maintain such relations, it is facilitating survival in the ‘dual system'.
Exploring Trust in M-Banking Transactions [13]
Olga Morawcsynski and Gianluca Miscione, May 2008
This paper examines how trust can emerge and be sustained in the context of mobile transactions. M-PESA, a mobile banking system in Kenya, is the focus of this paper. Data is used from an ethnographic study that was deployed in Kibera-one of Africa's largest informal settlements. This paper presents research in progress and discusses two main findings. Firstly, interpersonal trust relations between the customers and agents are weak. Customers do not trust the agents with their money. Secondly, the institutional trust relations between the customer and Safaricom, the mobile service provider offering M-PESA, are strong.
Developing Biofuels in Rural Haiti [13]
Kathleen Robbins, GreenMicrofinance Group, March 2008
The paper, by Kathleen Robbins of the GreenMicrofinance Group tells the story of a small Haitian NGO, that is piloting an environmentally sound and economically sustainable approach to biofuels. The key element is a jatropha nursery that is incubating young plants and teaching a group of Haitian farmers how to grow them.
Promoting Small and Medium Enterprises for Sustainable Development [14]
WBCSD, Geneva, 24 July 2007
Published by the WBCSD in collaboration with SNV Netherlands Development Organization, the Issue Brief of Promoting Small and Medium Enterprises for Sustainable Development explains how governments can help alleviate poverty by focusing on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and how larger corporations can help themselves by including SMEs in their value chains.
Aid Reform and the Role of Enterprise [14]
Kurt Hoffman, Shell Foundation, 2005
In its second major report of 2005, the Shell Foundation shows how the aid industry can finally put poor country entrepreneurs at the centre of the fight against poverty. The report makes the case for reforming the aid industry by applying fundamental business principles to enhance its performance and accountability. It calls on the aid community to give poor people real choice when delivering development, which in turn can be measured against tangible targets such as the number of pro-poor enterprises supported and jobs created.
A Business Guide to Development Actors [15]
World Business Council for Sustainable Development, International Business Leaders Forum, updated in 2006
The guide aims to introduce the business community to potential partners in the development community. It is a first port of call for managers who are interested in working with a development organization, but unsure of how to begin.
The Base of the Pyramid (BOP): Reperceiving Business from the Bottom Up [15]
Nicole Boyer, Global Business Network, 2003
This paper provides a brief introduction to the BOP, a snapshot of a growing, shifting, dynamic space. The goal here is to inform and stimulate new ideas, better questions, and strategic conversations about the BOP. To that end, this paper employs an approach of applying pluralistic perspectives, multiple knowledge domains, and longer contextual views to the exploration of an emerging marketspace and its implications for companies today.
Business & Development: What's the right approach? [15]
Cecile Churet, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, 2005
Some call it "pro-poor business"; others speak of "Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) business"; the WBCSD refers to it as "Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) business". Whatever its name, this fairly new and potentially revolutionary idea is generating a lot of reactions from development practitioners, business and academia. To encourage this debate, the WBCSD hosted an online discussion on the issues surrounding this innovative business approach to development. This document summarizes the discussion.
Business Action for the MDGs: Private Sector Involvement as a Vital Factor in Achieving the Millennium Development Goals [16]
World Bank Institute, 2005
This World Bank Report explores the important role that businesses play in achieving the Millenium Development Goals. It discusses: how the private sector can become involved; reasons businesses are increasingly involved in the MDGs; how countries are engaged with the private sector; how the MDG task forces are engaged with the private sector; and recommendations from the private sector.
Business for Development - Business solutions in support of the Millennium Development Goals [17]
World Business Council for Sustainable Development, 2005
This new WBCSD report makes the business case for sustainable development by illustrating how the private sector is taking an active role in the achievement of the MDGs. Singling out framework conditions as the most important factor affecting business investment, the publication strongly advocates focusing investment on a strong regulatory and legal framework, building the capabilities of local enterprises, and improving core infrastructure.
Civic Entrepreneurship: A Civil Society Perspective on Sustainable Development [18]
Tariq Banuri, Adil Najam, Stockhold Environment Institute, 2002
This report gives a fascinating account of opportunities and description of models for understanding and engaging BOP societies. It includes over one hundred successful examples of sustainable development in practice.
Connecting the Poor- How Selling Technology in Emerging Markets Can Help Bridge America's Trade Gap [18]
Shamarukh Mohiuddin and Julie Hutto, Progressive Policy Institute, 2006
American exporters have been struggling for half a decade. Recovery will require macroeconomic policy shifts and measures to more fully open traditional export markets in rich, highly developed countries. But there are other, more imaginative options beyond either of these. In particular, the United States can begin cultivating new markets among the world's poor.
Doing Business with the Poor: A Field Guide [19]
World Business Council for Sustainable Development, 2004
The Guide explores how several companies are starting to break into an untapped market of over four billion potential customers in ways that benefit both the poor and the company (available in various languages).
Expanding the Role of Microfinance in Promoting Renewable Energy Access in Developing Countries [19]
Shamarukh Mohiuddin, Progressive Policy Institute, 2006
This paper argues that microfinance offers a promising way to expand energy access from renewable energy technologies, spur economic development, while at the same time reducing the impact of energy use. In some countries innovative partnerships have already emerged between microfinance institutions and renewable energy producers. Developing country governments can take specific steps to ensure that such partnerships continue to expand and energy access continues to spread to rural populations.
Finding Capital for Sustainable Livelihoods Businesses [20]
World Business Council for Sustainable Development, 2004
This guide focuses on how to source funding for a SL business and aims to provide a blueprint for action. It will help managers decide when to raise capital in-house and when to seek external funds. It explores PPPs, how to raise capital for local operational partners, and why securing this funding may be core to the company's success.
The Great Leap: Driving Innovation from the Base of the Pyramid [21]
Stuart Hart and Clayton Christenson, 2002
Companies can generate growth and satisfy social and environmental stakeholders through a "great leap" to the base of the economic pyramid, where 4 billion people aspire to join the market economy for the first time. This is not a question simply of doing the right thing in order to lift people out of poverty - although that will surely be a result of the leap the authors have in mind.
Marrying Jekyll with Hyde? Transnational Enterprises, Pro-Poor Development and Sustainable Ethical Learning [21]
Linda Mayoux, 2005
Transnational Enterprises (TNEs) are an important source of direct and indirect employment creation in the global economy. Largely in response to external pressures by NGOs and consumers, there has been a growing number of Guidelines and Codes for Corporate Social Responsibility being adopted by such companies. Now, TNEs are beginning to understand that corporate social and environmental responsibility can also increase their profits and sustainability. This paper focuses on recent innovations which can contribute to a key element in seeking constructive ways forward towards this 'win-win' business case: the building of a participatory ethical learning process which can increase trust, transparency and mutual accountability.
Meeting the Collaboration Challenge: Developing Strategic Alliances Between Nonprofit Organizations and Businesses [22]
The Drucker Foundation, 2002
Inspired by The Collaboration Challenge and feedback from nonprofit practitioners, this workbook presents a four-phase process to help your organization prepare to meet the collaboration challenge, plan strategic alliances with businesses, develop alliances with businesses, and periodically renew business alliances. Each phase is designed to encourage appropriate participation, organize necessary information, and guide board, volunteer, and staff discussions toward successful nonprofit-business alliances.
MicroFranchises as a Solution to Global Poverty [22]
Kirk Magleby, 2005
Most successful sustainable development projects in recent years utilize some variation of the MicroFranchise business model. The paper analyzes the strengths of the MicroFranchise business model as an innovative solution to global poverty. Through a thorough discussion on the causes and effects of poverty, the paper positions the worldwide MicroFranchise movement in its global context. Also recommended, Magleby's Catalog of Microfranchise Business Opportunities [22].
Partnering for Success: Business Perspectives on Multistakeholder Partnerships [22]
World Economic Forum, 2005
One of the key leadership challenges of our time is to find new ways to harness the innovation, technology, networks, and problem-solving skills of the private sector, in partnership with others, to support international development goals. Business leaders have a growing interest, both in terms of risk management and harnessing new opportunities, to get engaged. Some of the world's most successful companies have already recognized the potential to turn innovative solutions to development challenges into profit-making ventures and new forms of social investment. This paper looks at some of these innovative approaches.
Part of the Solution: Leveraging Business and Markets for Low-Income People: Lessons Learned from the Ford Foundation Corporate Involvement Initiative [23]
Ford Foundation, 2005
This report presents lessons learned from the Corporate Involvement (CI) Initiative of the Ford Foundation, an effort that sought to demonstrate that businesses could use core operating resources and competencies in ways that contribute to large-scale improvement in income and assets for low-income people, while benefiting business.
Reinventing Strategies for Emerging Markets: Beyond the Transnational Model [24]
Ted London and Stuart Hart, 2004
With established markets becoming saturated, multinational corporations (MNCs) have turned increasingly to emerging markets in the developing world. Reaching the four billion people in these markets poses both tremendous opportunities and unique challenges to MNCs. An exploratory analysis, involving interviews with MNC managers, original case studies, and archival material, indicates that the transnational model of national responsiveness, global efficiency and worldwide learning may not be sufficient to succeed in these new markets. Business strategies that rely on leveraging the strengths of the existing market environment outperform those that focus on overcoming weaknesses. These strategies include developing relationships with non-traditional partners, co-inventing custom solutions, and building local capacity. Together, these successful strategies suggest the importance of MNCs developing a global capability in social embeddedness.
Enterprise Solutions to Poverty [24]
The Shell Foundation, 2005
Enterprise Solutions to Poverty, a March 2005 report by the Shell Foundation, argues that enterprise and business thinking must be placed at the heart of the war on poverty if we are really going to "Make Poverty History" in 2005. The report contains the latest information about Shell Foundation pilots across the developing world and shows how the value-creating financial assets of companies such as Shell can be harnessed to provide greater social returns on investment.
Tomorrow's Markets: Global Trends and Their Implications for Business [25]
World Business Council for Sustainable Development, World Resources Institute, United Nations Environment Programme, 2002
While the future is always uncertain, probable market scenarios are bounded by global trends. This publication joins the World Business Council on Sustainable Development, the World Resources Institute and the United Nations Environment Programme to identify the trends that are shaping the global business environment. These trends are shaping a new marketscape, the landscape through which business must navigate to succeed.
Unleashing Entrepreneurship: Making Business Work for the Poor [26]
United Nations Development Programme, 2004
In this report to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Commission on the Private Sector and Development focuses on how business can create domestic employment and wealth, free local entrepreneurial energies, and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
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The Mirage of Marketing to the Bottom of the Pyramid: How the Private Sector Can Help Alleviate Poverty [27]
Aneel Karnani
Business Models for Technology in the Developing World: The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations [28]
[29]Henry Chesbrough, Shane Ahern, Megan Finn, Stephane Guerraz
Videos
The Sustainable Livelihoods Experience [30]
The sustainable livelihoods experience is an online gallery showcasing the views of global business leaders on sustainable livelihoods business and how they are implementing this new inclusive business approach in their companies.
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