Bottom Of Pyramid Research Articles

How blockchain technology can be a sustainable infrastructure for the agrifood supply chain in developing countries

PurposeThis study aims to formulate a conceptual sustainable framework for developing a trusted, reliable, scalable, transparent, traceable and sustainable agri-food supply chain in a developing country so that it minimizes wastage and increases the efficiency levels of agri-produce and its usage.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a rigorous review of extant literature, case studies and the interview method for theory building, using blockchain technology (BT) as a subject. Further, the study builds a framework to relate blockchain solutions to the challenges faced by the agri-supply chain. Notably, the use of BT in the agri-food supply chain is a relatively new area of study.FindingsLimitations of using BT 3.0 in a diverse supply chain like the food sector, especially in a developing country such as India, may be overcome by adopting BT 4.0 and could change the country’s face by controlling inefficiencies and ensuring transparency, helping in good governance, improving the humanitarian supply chain and integrating the bottom of the pyramid to the main economy. Based on the findings, this study proposes BT 4.0 for the agri-supply chain in India to deal with the current issues of demand-supply gap, wastages of agri-produce, unequal distribution of profit among agriproduct producers and logistics suppliers and ensuring sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsResults in this study have been derived from a specific demographic condition in India. Future research with other demographic conditions may be replicated. BT is a new technology product, and its effectiveness is yet to be established.Practical implicationsThe outcome of this study provides the application of BT 4.0 in the area of the agri-food supply chain. The BT 4.0 framework has been developed on studying a few cases that either implemented BT or were in the testing phase. The benefits of the agri-food supply chain vis-à-vis its overall social well-being may be achieved on the successful implementation of the framework, despite existing complexities in the food supply chain. Further research on this subject may help the other dimensions of the complexity of adopting BT 4.0. Both practitioners and policymakers from developing countries can, therefore, use the findings of this study to analyze BT 4.0 and address the concerns of the agri-food supply chain.Originality/valueThis research paper has proposed a conceptual framework of BT 4.0, which is a completely new technology. It is fairly transparent, and therefore sustainable supply chain practices may be achieved easily.

The launch of a local spice brand: Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid

Marketing mix strategy plays an important role and serves as a road map for achieving organizational and marketing objectives. An effective marketing mix in the food brand segment strengthens the product’s image, recognition, perception and market share by offering superior value to its customers. The purpose of this case study was to review the marketing mix strategy of a local spice brand with a focus on the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) customers. The case revolved around many questions, encompassing several aspects related to brand marketing, marketing mix strategies, communication and brand distribution, and the company’s core values and vision and its alignment with the mission. The data for this case study were acquired from secondary sources. The information set highlighted the marketing mix and raised questions regarding the underlined challenges faced by the brand for penetrating and maintaining its presence in the market.

Modelling ragpickers’ productivity at the bottom of the pyramid: the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs)

PurposeIn this research, the authors apply artificial neural networks (ANNs) to uncover non-linear relationships among factors that influence the productivity of ragpickers in the Indian context.Design/methodology/approachA broad long-term action research program provides a means to shape the research question and posit relevant factors, whereas ANNs capture the true underlying non-linear relationships. ANN models the relationships between four independent variables and three forms of waste value chains without assuming any distributional forms. The authors apply bootstrapping in conjunction with ANNs.FindingsThe authors identify four elements that influence ragpickers’ productivity: receptiveness to non-governmental organizations, literacy, the deployment of proper equipment/technology and group size.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides a unique way to analyze bottom of the pyramid (BoP) operations via ANNs.Social implicationsThis study provides a road map to help ragpickers in India raise incomes while simultaneously improving recycling rates.Originality/valueThis research is grounded in the stakeholder resource-based view and the network–individual–resource model. It generalizes these theories to the informal waste value chain at BoP communities.

Petrochemistry and Oxygen Isotope of Karimati (L5) Chondrite, a 2009 Fall in Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract Karimati, a single stone, weighing ~1 kg, fell on the mid-day of May 28, 2009, in Karimati village, Tahsil Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. Based on textures and mineralogy, Karimati is classified as brecciated, L5 (S2), ordinary chondrite. Petrologically, the chemical group, L has been assigned based on the typical mean compositions of olivine (Fa:25.5) and low-Ca pyroxene (Fs:21.6). The bulk chemical composition also resembles L chondrite as Mg/Si ratio ~0.82. Finally, the oxygen isotopic ratios of bulk meteorite sample yielded δ17O (+3.78%o and +4.07%o) and δ18O (+4.95%o and +5.52%o), respectively further confirmed Karimati as L-chondrite. The Karimati appears to have been subjected to single fragmentation in the atmospheric flight and it is evident from similar characters of all the lateral faces except the base of the pyramid in terms of its uniform colour, homogeneous fusion crust and shallow regmaglypts. The metamorphic equilibration temperature for Karimati chondrite using two different thermometers (olivine-chromite and two pyroxene thermometry) has been estimated and ranges 655°C and 770°C, respectively with a mean value of ~710°C and corresponds to the Type 5 thermal equilibration event.

Experimental and Simulation Study Investigating the Effect of a Transparent Pyramidal Cover on PV Cell Performance

Photovoltaic (PV) systems are a very popular energy conversion system for electric energy supply due to their ease of connection and fast rate of conversion. However, a disadvantage of these systems is their low efficiency. Many techniques have been proposed to enhance the efficiency of PV systems. In this article, numerical and experimental studies were performed to test the effect of pyramidal transparent covers made of Perspex on the incident radiation reaching PV panels. The energy of light depends on the electric field, and the electric field depends on the permittivity. As the relative permittivity of Perspex is higher than the relative permittivity of air, the energy of the panel with the pyramidal Perspex cover is higher than the energy of the panel without pyramids. In addition, the total irradiance reaching the base of the pyramids was investigated in order to show the effect of the incidence angle on the computed irradiance. A 3D model was constructed and tested with different pyramidal cover dimensions and incidence angles. The tested dimensions were height to base length ratios of 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5. It was found that pyramidal covers with a height to base length ratio of 1.0 achieved the best performance of the three sizes. The simulation model was applied in order to study the solar radiation model for the solar panel with and without pyramids. Two parameters were studied in order to show the effect of the pyramidal covers on solar panel irradiance; these parameters used three different sizes of pyramids to study the effect of changing the incidence angle of the radiation source. The model was constructed in ANSYS-ICEM, then the mesh was exported to FLUENT 14.5. Moreover, the incident radiation on the panel for all tested incidence angles was found to be higher than for the panels without covers. In addition, the existence of the pyramidal cover was found to enhance the homogeneity of the distribution incident of rays on the PV panels. In the case of pyramids with R = 1, enhancement became clear at an incidence angle ranging from 69° to 90°, and the percentage increase in the energy fraction reached 0.2%.

The Application of Ethnographic Methods to Engineering for Global Development: The Case of the Improvised Betel Nut Cutter

Abstract This technical brief is an attempt to report a case analysis of Engineering for Global Development (EGD) research from India. As a part of the engineering design and research project, two models of improvised betel nut cutter (IBNC) are designed, manufactured and field-tested. Engineering ethnography is adopted as a research tool during the design process of IBNC. The “engineering ethnography” facilitated the participation of local stakeholders in the design process which is found to be effective for contextual understandings of the target community’s needs, aspirations, constraints, and socio-cultural norms and values. The technological intervention is expected to solve the problems like finger cut and health drudgery (musculoskeletal pain, back pain, etc.) of the women involved in the supari business in Assam, India. It will also improve productivity and efficiency in the supari cutting practices of women. This case analysis depicts the effectiveness of trans-disciplinary effort in solving complex engineering problems at the bottom of the pyramid (BoP). Evidence gathered from this study is expected to be a useful resource for future endeavors in EGD research.

Internet of Things and Changing Consumer Behavior in Bottom of the Pyramid Segment for Technology Innovation

This qualitative research conducted under hermeneutic inquiry framework interprets the expressed responses of the customers belonging to the bottom of the pyramid (BoP) for exploring the role of Internet of Things (IoT) in their lives. IoT includes technologies and devices for ubiquitous connectivity. Amongst all the devices and technologies, the mobile technology is the one that has been adopted quite fast by the economically deprived because of its simplicity. It is interesting to interpret the utility of the IoT for the BoP customers and understand how this technology is influencing their lifestyles and purchase decision making process. It was learned from seven interviewees and forty participants of online focus group session that IoT has functional and symbolic utility for customers. The IoT-induced lifestyles affect BoP segment also. Although such transformation is seen in the upper sections of the society, this phenomenon is interesting to understand in the BoP context because the economically challenged persons have to make critical trade-offs between the basic necessities and the technologically advanced objects of symbolic utility. Interestingly, the use of such gadgets and technologies makes them avoid social exclusion, which is non-monetary form of deprivation. Hence, these products and technologies have a symbolic and hedonistic value for such customers. In a world of mediatized global consumer society, the BoP segment is becoming more knowledgeable about the global trends through internet and smart phones, and ultimately their insights help marketers and entrepreneurs in developing sustainable technological innovations.

The paradox of mini-grid business models: A conflict between business viability and customer affordability in rural India

Policy-makers struggle with the following wicked problem in the energy access context: if existing socio-technical solutions can alleviate energy poverty, why is the energy transition slower than expected in rural Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) markets? Here, social enterprises are starting to play a vital role. Using Husk Power Systems (HPS) as a longitudinal case study, we analyse how a social enterprise in India attempts to serve low-income customers. In this study, we aim to address the following research question: how and to what extent can a mini-grid based social enterprise resolve the technical and organisational challenges associated with providing services in a rural BoP environment? Our interdisciplinary approach navigates the landscape between social entrepreneurship and socio-technical aspects of mini-grid operations in the rural BoP market using a Multi-Level Perspective (MLP). We rely on narrative analysis to delineate the complexities of mini-grid operations in low-income settings to integrate on-site experiences and firm-level processes to energy access discourse. The paper argues that continuous conflicts exist between social and commercial objectives concerning the socio-technical configuration of mini-grids in the rural BoP markets. As this case study reveals, social enterprises need to manage the socio-technical complexities inherent to mini-grid processes; otherwise, customer affordability and business viability become an unsolvable paradox. The sustainability of a business model depends on how socio-technical aspects of the mini-grid are designed, managed and operated. Finally, this study proposes a business model framework integrating social and technical aspects employing socio-technical regimes in the MLP.

Formation of Social Entrepreneurial Intention: A Qualitative Grounded Approach at the Base of the Pyramid

While there have been some attempts at investigating and theorizing social entrepreneurial action at the base of the economic pyramid, our understanding of the processes contributing to the formation of social entrepreneurial intention in contexts of extreme poverty remain limited. In this study, we aim to address this gap by providing a better understanding of the formation of social entrepreneurial intentions of youths at the base of the economic pyramid. Drawing on a qualitative grounded approach, we highlight the role of self-confidence, perceived self-efficacy and social ascension beliefs as important drivers in understanding the formation of social entrepreneurial intention of youths at the base of the pyramid. At a practical level, our study suggests that besides developing entrepreneurship-specific knowledge, support mechanisms should also pay attention to the development of different self-related beliefs of youths to enable the formation of social entrepreneurial intention at the base of the pyramid.

Improving base-of-the-pyramid consumer welfare through mobile technology services

PurposeRecent development and democratization of digital technologies call for studying base-of-the-pyramid (BOP) consumers’ interactions with these technologies. This study aims to explore how BOP consumers interact with mobile information and communication technology (mICT) and improve their welfare.Design/methodology/approachFollowing an extensive literature review, content analysis of the reviewed articles and reports was conducted to build this article’s conceptual foundation.FindingsThis study has conceptualized five mechanisms in which mICT improves the lives of BOP customers through enhanced access and control of resources. In particular, the authors characterize a converging nature of mICT and related applications (social media, internet of things, artificial intelligence and sharing economy) as resources for social change. The authors find a striking contrast between BOP and affluent consumers regarding their motivations and barriers to adopting mICT-based applications. Implications to research, technology design and policymaking are discussed.Originality/valueThe intersection of mICT and BOP is under-researched. With this paper, we tried to address this research gap. Further, this study has brought out several important research questions in each application, serving as a springboard for future researchers.

“Bottom of the Pile”: Health Behaviors within the Context of In-work Poverty in North East England

ABSTRACT In-work poverty (IWP), a growing problem in the United Kingdom, describes being in employment but having financial resources close to thresholds associated with poverty. IWP is associated with poorer health behaviors. We examined why people experiencing IWP may exhibit poorer health behaviors. Experiences of six individuals with whole-household IWP in North East England, were elicited using inductive reflexive thematic analysis with semi-structured interviews. Three themes were generated, showing that IWP impacted on the adoption of healthy behaviors, resulting in an obesogenic environment, particularly for single parents. IWP is a socioeconomic health disparity requiring further exploration.

Agility and Resilience in Social Enterprises - A Case Study Approach

Covid-19 exposed various existing business organizations and start-ups to sustenance risk. The dynamics of the business environment changed drastically at an unprecedented rate wherein resilient organizations survived the blow. There is an increased need of exploring new dimensions of business models which serve the socio-economic motive for communal development thinking beyond profits but are agile to adopt latest technology and innovations serving the bottom of the pyramid. The study exhibits the resilience and agility of social enterprises during current challenging times of pandemic Covid-19 through a case study approach. The research throws light on actions and strategies adopted by social enterprises working in the handloom sector of central India for supporting the marginalized community with short term and longterm strategic measures discussing the challenges faced by three social enterprises (handlooms). It also discusses the strategic importance of social entrepreneurship in developing economies in such challenging times to provide sustainable value creation and social upliftment.

Legitimacy Contexts of BoP Markets: Characterization and Implications for Supply Chain Functions

An important market that is receiving increasing attention by firms relates to the poorest at the Base of the Pyramid (BoP). BoP businesses contribute to the first UN Sustainable Development Goal that calls for an end to poverty in all its manifestations. BoP businesses are regarded as financially and socially beneficial for both participating firms and poor communities. It is, however, understood that success in BoP markets cannot (and should not) be assumed, as it demands a profoundly different view towards managing supply chains. Focusing on this issue, our conceptual study contributes to the emerging debates in BoP and supply chain management research by elaborating the notion of legitimacy contexts (LCs) at BoP. We draw on institutional theory to characterize the LCs in BoP markets and discuss their implications for key supply chain functions. We argue that firms often design their supply chain functions for BoP business using their own LCs as opposed to those of BoP actors. This implies ignoring the institutional distance between BoP markets and firms and reveals a key culprit in the failure of BoP projects. We offer practical implications for firms intending to engage in BoP business.

Measuring the impact of donations at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governments' isolation measures to contain the transmission of COVID-19 imposed a dilemma for the people at the bottom of the pyramid. Since these people have very unreliable sources of income, a dilemma arises: they must either work under risky conditions or refrain from work and suffer from income cuts. Emergency donations of food and cleaning supplies in a pandemic context might be overlooked by government and civil society actors. This paper aims to model the effects of donations on mitigating the negative effects of COVID-19 on vulnerable communities. Applying the system dynamics method, we simulated the behaviour of the pandemic in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) communities and the impacts that donations of food and cleaning supplies have in these settings. We administered surveys to the beneficiaries and local organisations responsible for the final distribution of donations to gather information from the field operations. The results show that increasing access to cleaning supplies in communities through donations can significantly reduce coronavirus transmission, particularly in high-density and low-resource areas, such as slums in urban settings. In addition, we also show that food donations can increase the vulnerable population’s ability to afford necessities, alleviating the stress caused by the pandemic on this portion of the population. Therefore, this work helps decision-makers (such as government and non-governmental organisations) understand the impacts of donations on controlling outbreaks, especially under COVID-19 conditions, in a low-resource environment and, thus, aid these hard-to-reach populations in a pandemic setting.

Engaging symbiotic ecosystems to build community centred business models for the BoP: Evidence from small social enterprises in East Africa

This article examines how small social enterprises (SSEs) in East Africa build business models for base of the pyramid (BoP) markets, through engaging symbiotic ecosystems. Through in-depth qualitative research, a three-stage process is identified. First, SSEs learn and become sensitised to the manifold challenges of building business models for BoP markets. Second, SSEs identify and connect with key BoP actors, weaving them together to create a symbiotic ecosystem and to overcome the aforementioned challenges. Third, SSEs harness this symbiotic ecosystem to deliver community-centred business models for the BoP. This research contributes to social entrepreneurship, small business, and BoP literatures, by shedding light on the challenges faced by SSEs working in the BoP, and through novel elaboration of how SSEs develop and interact with symbiotic ecosystems to surmount these challenges. It also provides important practical insights, for social entrepreneurs and social enterprise managers in Africa and elsewhere.

Social Innovation for Social Value Creation at Bottom of Pyramid

This paper presents a descriptive analysis of how social value creation and business models are interconnected in the context of Bottom of Pyramid. Globally there are various cases of real business set up for people in the BOP in emerging economies for understanding the role of innovative strategies for social value creation. Social entrepreneurs through their social enterprises using disruptive innovation & catalytic innovation have played critical role in inclusive development by first catering to the masses and then to the classes. Literature on social value creation and BOP was extensively reviewed and dimensions of innovation and social value creation was identified resulting in bringing benefits to people at BOP. The present paper seeks to make a contribution to this literature by enriching our understanding of how BOP business models and social value creation through social innovations by social entrepreneurs are actually related.

Platform-based business model and entrepreneurs from Base of the Pyramid

Technological progress and the rise of short video platforms have created new possibilities for the marginalized communities. This paper explores how such platform-based business model innovation can foster entrepreneurship from the base of the pyramid (BOP) and include poor people into value creation activities by sharing their skills, experiences and their normal farming and life activities. Through an in-depth case study of a successful platform which has hundreds of millions of active users from the BOP, we developed a content-based new inclusive digital business model for grassroot entrepreneurs; and identified the mechanisms that makes such a platform fair and inclusive for the poor. The paper analysed its impact on income creation, capabilities development, and social capital development at the BOP, as well as its impact on the growth of BOP entrepreneurs, and the enabling factors that are essential for the scale-up and success of such a business model. Policy implications are also discussed.

Voting Decision-Making at the Bottom of the Pyramid- A Phenomenological Approach

The purpose of this study is to understand the factors driving the BOP community’s voting decisions. This study used a qualitative phenomenological approach, conducting 32 interviews with BOP voters in two areas: Kharagpur and Kolkata, in West Bengal, India. The findings showed some political parties and politicians powerfully operate in BOP areas and dominate BOP people through information persuasion, benefits and coercion. Hence, BOP people in those areas vote for them. Social ties and capital and social identity resulting from the sense of belongingness with local politicians also drive their voting decisions. This study contributes to political marketing literature, particularly in the BOP context. These results will assist public policy makers.

Experimental and numerical study of the bulb's location effect on the behavior of under-reamed pile in expansive soil

Abstract In this experimental and numerical analysis, three varieties of under-reamed piles comprising one bulb were used. The location of the bulb changes from pile to pile, as it is found at the bottom, center, and top of the pile, respectively. PLAXES 3D was used to conduct the research. In expansive soil, the under-reamed piles were 350 mm long, with the pile tip in dense sandy soil. The experiment was carried out in both saturated and unsaturated circumstances. The influence of the bulb location on the pile's bearing capacity for vertical and lateral loads, as well as the amount of swelling pressure and upward movement owing to swelling, was investigated. The results showed that in the unsaturated state, the bulb at the top of the pile gives bearing that is higher than the bulb at the bottom of the pile and near to the bulb in the center. In the case of unsaturated soil, the closer the bulb is to the top, the larger the bearing capacity, whereas in the event of swelling, the bearing capacity is highest when the bulb is in the middle of the pile. The same is true of the pile's upward movement, which is greater when the bulb is at the top than when it is at the bottom.

Sustainable Entrepreneurial Ventures and the Bottom of the Pyramid: Creating Sustainable Values and Opportunities

There is a need for further research on the value creation from both business and bottom of the pyramid perspectives. In our study, attention was given to this gap and it can be argued that partnerships between sustainable entrepreneurship ventures (SEVs) and bottom of the pyramid (BoP) communities are a relevant approach to creating sustainable value in BoP ecosystems. Accordingly, we propose to find answers to our main research question: How do partnerships between sustainable entrepreneurship ventures (SEVs) and the bottom of the pyramid (BoP) communities create sustainable values and generate benefits and opportunities for BoP? The methodology comprised three case studies of SEV-BoP partnerships in Brazil. Results indicated that SEV-BoP partnerships have the potential to deliver economic, social, and environmental values that enable progress in both businesses and low-income communities. Benefits and opportunities for BoP communities included income generation, professionalization, and business experience, which pushed the BoP communities to develop their enterprises and start new businesses independently. These results show that SEV-BoP partnerships represent an alternative approach to creating sustainable value in the BoP ecosystem, including multidirectional benefits.