Bottom Of Pyramid Research Articles

Mobile fintech, digital financial inclusion, and gender gap at the bottom of the pyramid: An extension of mobile technology acceptance model

This study aims to predict the determinants of mobile fintech apps and digital financial inclusion from the perspective of the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) segment in Indonesia. To address the complexities of BOP users, this paper theoretically grounded on Mobile Technology Acceptance Model (MTAM) (i.e. mobile usefulness (MU), mobile ease of use (MEU)) along with its relevant extension including personal factor (digital financial literacy (DFL)), financial risk factor (mobile perceived financial cost (MPFC)), and consequent factors (i.e. use behavior (UB), and digital financial inclusion (DFI)). The moderating impact of gender was also tested. A survey instrument that was self-administered and comprised measurement items adapted from prior research was utilized to gather data from 200 mobile fintech BOP users residing in Makassar, South Sulawesi. According to the results of the PLS-SEM test, seven hypotheses were accepted, while two were rejected. In addition, it was confirmed that men play a more prominent role than women in strengthening mobile fintech use and digital financial inclusion.

An empirical study on benefits and challenges associated with recent Indian Government initiative for women from bottom of pyramid on clean cooking fuel

An empirical study on benefits and challenges associated with recent Indian Government initiative for women from bottom of pyramid on clean cooking fuel

RCEP 체결 이후 ASEAN 지역내 주요 산업 경쟁력 변화와 시사점

Purpose - This research seeks to assess the trade volume and international competitiveness of RCEP member countries post-agreement, taking into account the diverse economic structures within the ASEAN countries.
 Design/Methodology/Approach - This investigation focuses on three variables: exports, imports, and the trade specification index. A paired t-test was employed to measure the impact before and after the signing of RCEP.
 Findings - The results show that the trade characteristics of partner countries, including Korea, China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, are influenced by factors such as comparative advantage, industrial situation, and local market demand, as aligned with the industrial development stage of ASEAN countries.
 Research Implications - Despite the RCEP agreement, Korea appears inclined to enhance trade, particularly with less developed ASEAN countries, in order to offset solidifications within the domestic industry, high wages, and intensifying competition with China. In addition, except for the electronics industry, Korea’s contribution to the expansion of ASEAN market demand is limited. To foster a global value chain in ASEAN and broaden the ASEAN market, Korea needs to focus on product diversification targeting lower-income groups that share characteristics similar to those found at bottom of the pyramid, and establish systematic economic cooperation with other ASEAN countries which are not yet prepared for industrialization for sustainable economic development.

Vaiadel kuhjalava ja selle ehitamine Matsalu rahvuspargis / Constructing a haystack base in Matsalu national park

Haymaking is a traditional craft that began to fade in the second half of the 20th century. The gradual disappearance of the traditional ways of making hay was due to the rapid development of modern agricultural techniques, which made the need for older techniques obsolete. Before the advent of hay packers, hay was mainly stored in barns or haystacks. As barns became more common beginning in the early 20th century, haystacks were the most common way of preserving hay (photos 1, 3, 4). To help structure the haystack and prevent the bottom of the pile from rotting, it was first necessary to build a haystack base (photo 2). In the case of wetlands and flooded meadows, haystacks had to be built on tall wooden poles to protect them against flooding (photos 5, 6). Although some descriptions of the construction of a traditional haystack have survived in the archives, there is no written information on haystack bases built on poles. Fortunately, there are some local people who still remember such haystack structures as well as some historically valuable photographs that have survived. Based on these old photos and local people’s memories, we organised a workshop on making a haystack base in Matsalu National Park, aimed at preserving and presenting the local heritage. In this article, we will look at the haystack, and in particular at the haystack base needed to build it on. The first part of the article gives an overview of the necessity and importance of the haystack in farm and folk culture. A separate section is devoted to the construction of the haystack bed on poles. The second part of the article is an auto-ethnographic overview of a workshop on the building of a haystack base on the Kasari riverbank in the village of Kelu. Along with photographic material, the article also gives an overview of the different stages of the build and some details about the construction. Keywords: woodcrafts, haystack, haystack base, traditional agriculture, workshop

TO THE CALCULATION OF BANK PROTECTION MEASURES FOR CHANNELS SLOPES EXPOSED TO ALONGSHORE WAVES

Calculation methods for strengthening and covering slopes with paving stones or tiles have been developed, and precise formulas for calculating the diameters of paving stones have been adopted. The three most characteristic locations of the triangular base of the measuring pyramid on the slope are: a) When the stones forming the nest on the slope are positioned in such a way that the measuring stone placed on the tip of the pyramid is most easily overturned in the direction of the tidal current; b) When the measuring stone can be tilted in the direction of the shoreline, towards large widths; c) When the possible direction of overturning makes a large angle of 30° with the shoreline, that is when one of the sides of the equilateral triangle of the base of the pyramid is parallel to the shoreline.

Connecting BOP consumers and retailers: What drives small-time retailing through social media?

Social media has emerged as an all-inclusive technology with the potential to integrate with the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) consumers to provide manifold benefits, ranging from education to retailing. Though the presence of BOP on social media has increased lately, the desired level of adoption by BOP consumers is still far from reality. There is a need to understand what motivates BOP consumers, primarily engaged in small-time retailing (STR), to adopt social media in their daily lives and for what purposes. Using the Gioia method and grounded theory approach, the study interviewed 52 BOP participants to investigate the motivational themes that drive them towards social media adoption. The mined themes were found to align with the Uses and Gratification 2.0 (UGT 2.0) theory, which were classified into four sub-elements of UGT 2.0: agency, modality, navigability, and interactivity. The classification provides interesting insights into what gratifies the BOP consumer to adopt social media as a tool for self-expression and growth. The study provides theoretical and practical insights for academicians and industry to better understand why BOP consumers engaged in STR adopt social media.

Buyer / Seller Relationship in the Services Sector at the Bottom of the Pyramid: A Commitment-Trust Theory Perspective

Drawing on the commitment-trust theory as the central approach, this paper aims to evaluate the importance of the commitment-trust theory in improving relationships between buyers and sellers in the service sector at the Bottom of the Pyramid. The paper further aims to investigate if the relationship formed between the buyers/sellers can impact the organization’s financial performance through customer satisfaction. From that, a conceptual framework is developed, which illustrates how the buyers’ and sellers’ relationships through commitment-trust theory are displayed as mediators in the conceptual framework, subsequently impacting the financial performance of the service providers. The study is a conceptual paper; therefore, it only concentrated on secondary data, which led to reviewing the literature of 190 articles focused on the conceptual evaluation of existing actors in relationship marketing and services marketing. The findings of this study illustrate that service providers should not only concentrate on high earners but also give attention to the bottom of the pyramid markets as those markets are also profitable. The findings also prove that service providers must adequately pay attention to the Bottom of the pyramid customers. The findings further revealed that well-served customers result in positive word of mouth, which subsequently increases loyalty and referrals, thus resulting in more outstanding market share. The study also showed that the customers at the Bottom of the Pyramid are not usually well acquainted with the benefits of the products and their rights as consumers; hence, some service providers take advantage of them.

Ideating a framework for sustainable livelihood of handicraft producers at the bottom of the pyramid: a mix-method study from India

PurposeThe handicraft sector is unorganized with huge potential for the economic upliftment of the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) craft producers. To ensure the sustainable livelihood of the artisans living in BOP, it is essential to identify the hurdles being faced by them so that they can be worked upon. This paper aims to look at the existing handicraft value chain in an integrated way to identify these hurdles and suggest probable solutions to mitigate them.Design/methodology/approachA two-stage study involving quantitative and qualitative approaches is used. Empirical observations from 218 artisans were analyzed using the relative to an identified distribution to rank the different variables affecting the functioning of the handicraft value chain. Next, 17 handicraft entrepreneurs were interviewed to identify solutions for the hurdles.FindingsA two-stage study examining the perspectives of artisans and handicraft entrepreneurs identified five significant challenges affecting the handicraft sector and viable solutions to address them. While presenting an operational model, a comprehensive picture of the handicraft business ecosystem was studied, from the procurement of raw materials to the marketing and sale of finished products. This can assist handicraft producers in sustaining their livelihoods and expanding the industry.Originality/valueStudies on the handicraft value chain at BOP are rare, and none have tried to look at the sector holistically to find solutions and propose an operational framework. The study has captured the voices of the artisans and handicraft entrepreneurs and, through a mixed-method approach, identified the main pain points of the BOP artisans to arrive at a workable solution for better business outcomes.

Inclusive business for rural development: New typology and differentiated value creation in the agri‐food sector

AbstractInclusive businesses (IBs) resonate with policymakers seeking to leverage private capital in support of poverty alleviation and sustainable development. In the agri‐food sector, which represents the largest segment of the base‐of‐the‐pyramid (BOP) market and a key source of livelihood for the rural poor, there is limited evidence on their diversity and social value creation mechanisms. This prevents practitioners from identifying impactful IB types and design features. A statistical analysis of 46 cases in Tanzania and Ghana identified four IB types: (1) self‐reliant agribusinesses, (2) domestic plantation companies, (3) social enterprises, and (4) locally‐embedded Small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Our findings suggest that socially‐driven and localized IBs hold high impact potential but require significant external support, while more self‐sufficient IBs adopt less socially innovative designs. This study demonstrates the utility of a data‐driven approach to capture the complexity of real‐world IBs, which yielded practical insights for more effective poverty alleviation through business means.

Reducing market separation through e-commerce: cases of Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) firms in India

ABSTRACT Market-based solutions for poverty alleviation at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) have been discussed extensively in the literature. Most BoP producer firms are based out of remote locations and suffer from informational asymmetry and a lack of financial resources. This study looks at three BoP firms through Bartels’ theory of market separation to examine whether the adoption of e-commerce helps reduce gaps between producers and consumers. The findings indicate that e-commerce has enabled firms to decrease the spatial, temporal, and informational gaps; however, the effect on the financial gap is yet to be determined. It also recognizes the importance of e-commerce adoption as an effective market-based solution for BoP firms. The findings helped develop a conceptual framework to understand the stages of e-commerce channel adoption by BoP firms. The implications of our findings for theory and practice are discussed.

Exploring new product development team problem-solving creativity in the base of the pyramid B2B firms

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the role of team problem-solving creativity in new product development (NPD) in the bottom-of-the-pyramid (BoP) in business-to-business firms. This study synthesizes perspectives from NPD, creativity and leadership to examine how work-related factors such as NPD managers’ role ambiguity and individual-related factors such as CEO’s ambidextrous leadership style interact to determine team problem-solving creativity and its effect on new product performance (NPP).Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses are tested using data from a multi-informant survey of 274 middle-level managers within 137 local BoP manufacturing firms in a sub-Saharan African country.FindingsThe results show that an NPD team’s ability to solve problems creatively determines NPP in BoP markets. The findings also show that NPD managers’ role ambiguity has a negative effect on team problem-solving creativity. However, a CEO’s ambidextrous leadership neutralizes the negative impact of role ambiguity on problem-solving creativity.Originality/valueThis study combines three distinct streams of literature, including NPD, creativity and leadership, to explore the antecedents and outcomes of problem-solving creativity. Drawing on creativity and leadership theories, this study reports that the success of creative idea exchanges depends heavily on a supportive environment for NPD team members and minimizing the NPD manager’s role ambiguity.

Constructing the Pyramid of Influence: Informal Institutions as Building Blocks of Judicial Oligarchy in Georgia

AbstractThis Article gives a cautionary account of the rise of judicial oligarchs in Georgia, highlighting how their rule distorts judicial governance and undermines judicial independence. The Georgian judiciary is portrayed as a pyramid-like structure where judges’ positions are determined by their influence on judicial governance and decision-making. Judicial oligarchs are a select few judges at the top that have acquired system-wide influence over the judiciary through their trusted affiliates, leaving other judges with minimal influence at the bottom of the pyramid. Research indicates that judicial self-governance bodies, such as judicial councils, can easily be manipulated by a handful of judges independently or through collusion with politicians. This can occur especially when most judges have little interest and the ability to participate meaningfully in governance. The Article explains how judicial oligarchs get judges to elect them and their affiliates as judicial council members. Informal networks and institutions contribute to their electoral success. There appears to be a shared expectation that judges will not challenge the oligarchs’ authority by publicly disagreeing with them or competing with them in elections, or else face sanctions. Research also cautions that de-politicization in the sense of excluding politicians from the bodies of judicial governance will not necessarily prevent politicians’ informal meddling with judicial decision-making. Collusion between judicial oligarchs and ruling party politicians forms part of the broader strategy of weakening the checks and balances and allowing the ruling party to operate without constraints. Thus, judicial oligarchs help to perpetuate oligarchization in the political sphere.

What is unique about sustainable business models for the base of the pyramid?

AbstractResearch on sustainable business models (SBMs) has been hindered by the use of traditional business model (BM) components indiscriminately applied to explain sustainable value (SV). Moreover, little has been done to reveal key components in BMs aiming to address the needs of the poor; that is, that part of the population referred to as the base of the pyramid (BoP). Following a case study methodology, we observe that conventional components are insufficient to clearly explain SV in SBMs for the BoP. The main contribution of this research is that it discloses that in SBMs for the BoP, activities (grouped into elements and components) are distinctively amalgamated to produce SV. This arrangement might be unique to SBMs for the BoP, and here we opt to present it in the form of a framework that articulates both a priori and emergent components and elements. In this framework, value adoption and value transmission are integrated as new components for analyzing this type of BM.

Five-coordinated bis-dioxolene cobalt complexes with triphenylphosphine

Three novel five-coordinated bis-dioxolene cobalt complexes with triphenylphosphine were synthesized. Complexes differ by dioxolene ligands: 3,6-di-tert-butylcyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-dione (complex 1), 5,8-di-tert-butyl-2,3-dihydro-1,4-ethanoquinoxaline-6,7-dione (complex 2), 3,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxycyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-dione (complex 3). The geometry of the inner coordination core of all compounds is close to square pyramidal. The base of the pyramid is formed by oxygen atoms of the dioxolene ligands whereas phosphine occupies the apical position. The planes of dioxolenes are slightly bent relative to each other. The magnetic moment values at low temperatures correspond to one unpaired electron per molecule for all complexes. In the complex containing a methoxy group in the dioxolene ligand (3), an increase in the magnetic moment is observed upon heating above 250 K, which indicates the appearance of a fraction of molecules with a higher spin multiplicity. A slight elongation of the Co-O, Co-P distances and shortening of the CO bonds is observed at 353 K. DFT calculations using the TPSSh functional correctly reproduce geometries of the complexes as well as their electronic absorption and vibrational spectra. DFT predicts the doublet-state complexes to possess the lowest enthalpies. Gibbs free energy of sextet complex 3 in solution is lower than that of its doublet state. This agrees well with the experimental electronic absorption spectra. On the basis of TD DFT calculations, a strong NIR absorption band in the spectra of low-spin 1 and 2 is assigned to the transition involving charge transfer from cobalt to the dioxolene and PPh3 ligands (MLCT). The doublet molecules can be described by the (↑SQ—)(Co3+)(Cat2—) ↔ (Cat2—)(Co3+)(↑SQ—) resonance structures. The sextet state in all three systems represents the (↑SQ—)(↑↑↑Co2+)(PPh3)(↑SQ—) bis-semiquinonate complex of high-spin Co(II). On the basis of the conventional description the doublet → sextet transition in complexes can be interpreted as a VT/SCO transformation. The electron density analysis of the doublet → sextet transition in the 1 and 3 molecules reveals areas of both increase and decrease in the charge density near the Co and O atoms.

A Study on the Load-Bearing Characteristics and Load Transfer Mechanism of Bag Grouting Pile in Soft Soil Areas

In soft soil areas, to compare the load-bearing characteristics of bag grouting piles and cement mixing piles and study the load-bearing mechanism of bag grouting piles, field tests are conducted in this study, including the comparative compressive test of bag grouting piles and cement mixing piles, and the analysis of pile axial force, pile side friction resistance, and pile end resistance. Moreover, a numerical simulation is developed using ABAQUS 2020 (finite element analysis software) for three-dimensional modeling. The numerical simulation results are compared with the field test results to verify the reliability of the numerical simulation. Furthermore, the influences of five factors are studied; namely, pile length, pile diameter, pile spacing, the thickness of the bedding layer, and grouting pressure are studied for their effects on the compressive bearing characteristics of the bag grouting pile. The results show the following: (1) For composite foundations, bag grouting piles are more effective than cement mixing piles in soft soil areas, and the former provide an 8.8% increase in the bearing characteristics. (2) With an increase in the load, the bag grouting pile experiences greater compression in the middle of the pile body, and the pile side friction resistance is increased; therefore, the pile side friction resistance can be fully developed, and the bag grouting piles have the ability to transfer the load from the top of the pile to the soil at the bottom of the pile. (3) When the external load is maximized, the sharing ratio of pile side friction resistance reaches 96.3%, which shows the excellent frictional performance of bag grouting piles. (4) Among the five factors mentioned above, the most important one is the pile diameter, followed by the pile length and pile spacing, the thickness of the bedding layer, and finally the grouting pressure. The optimal combination in this paper is a pile length of 18 m, pile diameter of 0.4 m, pile spacing of 1.0 m, bedding thickness of 0.3 m, and grouting pressure of 0.6 MPa. Therefore, changing the pile diameter can be given priority during the construction design. The findings in this paper can provide valuable insights and practical experience for the design of similar engineering projects.

Pro-environmental values’ and consumer behavior in base of the pyramid market: Ghana

PurposeThis study aims to fill the gap on proenvironmental behavior studies among consumers in bottom of the pyramid (BOP) market by examining the relationship between values, beliefs and norms among Ghanaian consumers.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 324 Ghanaian consumers (responses rate of 64%) was used to estimate the model. The data was analyzed using maximum likelihood robust approach of Lavaan package for structural equation modeling in R.FindingsThe findings show that there is no significant relationship between values and the new ecological worldview, which also does not affect awareness of environmental consequences. However, awareness of consequences, likely based on personal experiences, significantly impacts perceived ability to reduce threats to the environment. Ghanaian consumers are mainly influenced by personal experiences with local environmental consequences that affect their perceived ability to reduce threats to their environment and their willingness to engage in proenvironmental behavior. The study supports the argument that proenvironmental behavior is the result of complex decision-making that might be influenced by a country’s economic situation, infrastructure, culture and institutions.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on a single country in Africa. More studies are needed among other base of the pyramid countries, and in comparison to developed countries’ consumers.Originality/valueThe study adds to the limited knowledge regarding sustainable consumption in the neglected context of the bottom of the pyramid market.

Digital divide: accessing digital technologies for firms in BOP countries

PurposeDigital technologies (DTs) are key and essential in firms and communities. Countries in low-income areas, such as Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) contexts, struggle with digital development. To understand how firms in BOP countries access DTs, a qualitative study was conducted to provide insight into how firms in these contexts access DTs and the challenges they face while accessing these technologies.Design/methodology/approachAn in-depth qualitative study was done, which included semi-structured interviews with digital enterprises. In total, 12 chief executive officers (CEOs) and owners of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) from Ghana and Nigeria were interviewed. NVivo 12 Pro was used for thematic analysis.FindingsFour main findings were identified as follows: (1) how firms in BOP contexts access DTs, (2) the challenges in accessing DTs, (3) factors considered when selecting a technological provider in BOP contexts and (4) solutions and recommendations to the challenges identified. From the results, cost, low technological infrastructure, high transaction costs, regulatory issues, lack of trust, poor digital skills and lack of support were among the barriers to accessing DTs in BOP contexts.Research limitations/implicationsGovernments and stakeholders of firms in BOP contexts need to be intentional with their digitalization development to ensure digital inclusion.Originality/valueThe study developed a synopsis of the factors involved in accessing DTs in BOP contexts and is the first to conceptualize firm digital access in BOP contexts.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-05-2023-0213

Reaching out to the bottom of the pyramid to achieve financial inclusion

PurposeThis study aims to explore the factors influencing the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) consumers’ adoption and usage intention towards mobile payment (m-payment) to achieve financial inclusion and sustainable development goals.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research design is used to explore the enablers and inhibitors that influence BOP consumers’ m-payment adoption and usage intention. To collect the qualitative responses, semi-structured in-depth interviews with BOP respondents were conducted. The thematic analysis using the text mining technique will be used to analyse qualitative data for exploring the predominant factors affecting m-payment adoption intention and usage.FindingsThe results suggested awareness, social influences and self-efficacy as crucial enablers and privacy and security risks and vulnerability concerns as crucial inhibitors towards m-payment adoption and usage.Originality/valueAs a novel contribution to the BOP, financial inclusion, sustainable development goals and m-payment literature, this study unfolds several unknown perceived benefits and perceived sacrifices that influence the BOP consumers’ m-payment adoption intention and usage. The study’s findings help the government and banks formulate and implement strategies to achieve financial inclusion among BOP consumers.

Young consumer engagement at the bottom of pyramid: applying S-O-R framework in e-commerce context

Purpose This study aims to identify the key drivers of consumer engagement in e-commerce among young consumers at bottom-of-pyramid (BoP) markets and their impact on continued usage intention. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional research design was used to understand low-income customers’ engagement in e-commerce, specifically online shopping. The data for this study were collected from BoP customers in the Indian market. A conceptual model was proposed, and hypotheses were developed using the stimulus–organism–response (S-O-R) framework. For analysis, structural equation modeling was performed using AMOS 20.0 software to test the structural model. Findings The results of the study highlight that perceived importance, technology and infrastructure and social influence are key drivers of e-commerce at BoP customers. Key drivers have shown a significant positive impact on customer engagement which leads to continue usage intention of e-commerce. Furthermore, customer engagement has shown a strong relationship with continue usage intention of e-commerce. Practical implications This study indicates that young consumers’ engagement is important for e-commerce service providers to gain a market share. BoP markets offer immense opportunities to create, develop and sustain e-commerce firms for a long time, especially in India. Managers should recognize the potential of BoP markets, which can generate a huge demand for products and services on e-commerce platforms. Originality/value This study contributes both theoretically and empirically. Theoretically, this adds to the existing knowledge of customer engagement, especially in e-commerce and BoP market segment. Empirically, it tested the conceptual research model of low-income customer engagement in the e-commerce marketplace using the S-O-R framework. The study recommended practical implications for e-retailers/e-commerce service providers engaging BoP customers in a digitally connected and intensively competitive era.

Creating social value at the bottom of the pyramid: Elaborating resource orchestration via social intermediaries

Overcoming constrained resources and enabling social, environmental, and economic value creation for stakeholders remains a managerial challenge. Small enterprises in the bottom of the pyramid (BoP) context offer an opportunity to extract insights into orchestration of resources amidst such challenges. Extensive qualitative data collected via text analysis, field visits, and expert interviews with two social intermediaries and managers of eleven small enterprises operating in BoP markets were analyzed to understand how small enterprises engage with stakeholders to structure, bundle, and leverage resources, as well as how they address environmental contingencies and social challenges in poverty settings. The findings highlight that companies must move beyond an economic resource focus and engage a diverse stakeholder network, leveraging social intermediaries for resource orchestration throughout lifecycle stages. The emergent framework elaborates on Resource Orchestration Theory (ROT), with propositions related to resource management mechanisms, capabilities offered by social intermediaries, and contingencies for social value creation.