Index of Paper Presentations for the Parallel Sessions - Academy of ...

future studies. Perry (1998) has briefed about the use of case studies to understand marketingphenomenon. He also guidelines the process of case study use. Perry (1998) suggested methodology wasadopted to collect the data for the case study. The case study was funded by the National InnovationFoundation (NIF).Limitations of the studyThe paper looks at an exploratory study at the diffusion of grassroot innovations. The major limitation ofthe paper is the fact that there is only one case study that is used to analyze and interpret the findings.Multiple case studies have to be used in varied context to ensure validity to the findings and claims in thepaper.The case study - Diesel based Marine PropulsionThe case study revolves around the fishing industry in Kerala, India; which is drastically different fromthat in advanced and developed world countries. In Europe and America, the fishing industry uses heavymachinery and large boats to get big catches that are mostly processed and sold in packaged forms. But, inIndia most fishing happens in small boats with little or no mechanization and the catch is mostly for a dayto day usage. The boats that the fishermen use in India are small and thus daily catch becomes veryimportant in establishing the survival of the community.The Innovation under discussion is change of propulsion technology of marine boats from kerosene todiesel – a cheaper fuel. The innovation has or will considerably reduce the costs involved in fishing in theregion. The Case study is intended to explain the scenario and the situations that lead to the innovation.The major contextual factors including the role of institutions, society and stakeholders, the level ofdiffusion of knowledge and the sharing of technology, commercialization and the availability of thetechnology for potential users.The innovatorThe innovator in the case is a 56 year old marine mechanic from the small town of Punnapra in theAlleppey District of Kerala, India. He is the recipient of the national award for grassroot innovations andhas been a marine mechanic in the unorganized fishing sector in the state. The innovator being from themarine fishing domain had undertaken a few attempts to operate a fishing boat himself and faced fuelefficiency issues with the kerosene engine that was being used at the time in 1995. Having thetechnological knowhow and having been facing the fuel efficiency issues; the innovator decided to try asolution for his problem – using a diesel based replacement for the current propulsion system. Thisqualifies him as being a grassroot innovator and his system a grassroot innovation. The innovator hasinvested 15 years and close to all his financial resources into the project.The innovationThe innovation is in two different stages which are part of a unique system that replaces the keroseneengine by a cost effective diesel engine. This reduction in cost can directly help the fisherman and in away act as the best possible way of social development. In Figure 1, the boxes marked 1 and 2 arebasically the two parts of the system developed and the remaining parts that together form the marinefishing boat. The parts that are developed include;1. Reversible reduction Gear Box2. Z-drive for Marine EngineThe engine is connected to a Reverse reduction gearbox that basically gives a gear system for forward andreverse propulsion plus a higher torque to the propeller. The gear box is then connected to a shaft and thento a universal joint, both aftermarket and customized by the innovator. This is then connected to a Z-driveand then to the propeller. The Z-drive has an axial movement that enables it to be lifted up and downwithout moving the other parts.