AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings - Academy of International ...

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Critiquing the BOP Meta-Narrative: Inquiry, Engagement and Intervention
Suparna Chatterjee, Xavier University
In this paper, I argue that the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) thesis is fast approaching the status of a metanarrative
(a grand synthesizing framework) by providing business practitioners and academe with a template for
future research on poverty alleviation through market development. This paper does not advocate rejection of
the idea of private sector involvement in poverty alleviation rather it calls for a reevaluation of the underlying
concepts and themes that have been used to substantiate the BOP thesis. Subjecting the BOP meta-narrative
to both conceptual and theoretical scrutiny will make it more sensitive to its own dislocations and breaks, and
thereby opening it up to creative transformations. (For more information, please contact: Suparna Chatterjee,
Xavier University, USA: chatterjees@xavier.edu)
Exploring Technology Diffusion in Base of Pyramid markets - Evidence from Solar Home Systems
Florian Täube, EBS Business School
Christian Friebe, EBS Business School/ Sustainable Business Institute
Paschen Flotow, Sustainable Business Institute
One of the key challenges energy access in emerging markets and developing countries is how to reach
households and communities at the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) that will most probably not benefit from a grid
connection in the medium and long term or that are connected to the grid, but suffer from regular blackouts.
While policy makers and development agencies try to approach this issue with various programs some private
sector organizations manage to deliver electricity on a market basis either as commercial or as social business.
These organizations are successful as they offer unique combinations of products and services such as
maintenance and finance. By analyzing the case of Solar Home Systems, this study is one of the first attempts
to quantify four different Product Service Systems (PSS). More specifically, we investigated the preferences of
decision-makers in this sector across several countries. We found Cash, Credit, Leasing and Fee for Service to
be suitable under certain conditions. However, all PSS share that one year of maintenance or even more, as
well as customer support in financing their new asset, are key to success. Moreover, it seems as if private
sector companies are in principle able to deliver Solar Home Systems to households with an income of USD
1000 per year or more. (For more information, please contact: Florian Täube, EBS Business School, Germany:
florian.taeube@ebs.edu)
Impact of Institutional Forces and Availability of Slack on Corporate Environmental Behaviour: Evidence from a
Developing Country
Farida Saleem, FUIEMS, Foundation University
C. Gopinath, Suffolk University
In this study we evaluated the corporate environmental activities within the framework of institutional forces,
availability of slack and taking a developing country as the field of study. This paper integrates the institutional
approach and slack resource theory to develop a model and then tests this model in a developing country
context. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey from managers operating in a variety of industries
in Pakistan. Stepwise hierarchical linear regression was used for analysis. The results validate previous findings
from both developed and developing countries. (For more information, please contact: Farida Saleem, FUIEMS,
Foundation University, Pakistan: farida-saleem@hotmail.com)
Inclusive Economic Ecologies for Poverty Alleviation: Developing Inclusive Business Within Inclusive Markets
Raed Elaydi, Roosevelt University
Charles Harrison, University of Pennsylvania
Cláudio Boechat, Fundação Dom Cabral
AIB 2012 Conference Proceedings
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